While our avenue is relatively safe, as a precaution during the busy holiday season, the Sunset Park BID hires its own Sunset Security to patrol the avenue for during the busiest shopping hours of each day. This gives the shopkeeper and the shopper an added feeling of safety. The security personnel mostly help shoppers in need by calling 911 and reporting problems. The patrols take place from Thanksgiving through Christmas.
Fifth Avenue in Sunset Park, 14 years ago, had many problems, one of which was a high crime rate. The BID began to look into purchasing security cameras to place on the lampposts as a deterrent. Several years ago, NYC received homeland security funds through NYS to place 500 cameras on blocks around the city. The 72nd Precinct, recognizing our desire to enhance the safety of our commercial strip, located 10 cameras on select blocks within the BID. The general public has felt more secure and we believe it has lowered the crime rate along our shopping strip.