The Flushing Business Improvement District (BID) has launched a new initiative to provide free self-defense classes to business owners and workers in the area. These classes, held at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel Ballroom, will be taught by a professional martial artist specializing in Taekwondo. To participate, attendees must sign a waiver and commit to attending weekly classes from April 3 to June 5 within zip codes 11354 and 11355.
The goal of this program is to address the growing issues of commercial retail theft and homeless disturbances in the area. Small business owners may feel vulnerable due to rising crime rates and concerns about police response times, so this initiative aims to empower them with self-defense skills. During the classes, attendees will learn various techniques including kicking, grabbing, and de-escalation strategies to handle real-life situations.
Dian Song Yu, executive director of the Flushing BID, emphasized the importance of making small businesses in downtown Flushing feel safer and more secure. She hopes that these classes will bring comfort to participants and enable them to protect themselves in case of emergencies. While larger stores may have security guards, smaller businesses may not, so this program aims to make all businesses in downtown Flushing feel safer and more secure.
