'A New Affliction for Restaurant Owners: Burglars' diff viewer (1/2)

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A New Affliction for Restaurant Owners: Burglars	A New Affliction for Restaurant Owners: Burglars
2020-06-05 04:28:38 UTC	2020-06-05 15:06:22 UTC (about 11 hours later)
In New Haven, Conn., a man broke into a Cuban restaurant and spent days drinking his way through the liquor selection. In San Jose, Calif., a restaurant owner watched from his phone as security cameras recorded a burglar’s helping himself to the best bottles in the bar. And in San Francisco, a restaurant in the city’s wholesale Flower Mart was robbed or vandalized four times in less than a month.	In New Haven, Conn., a man broke into a Cuban restaurant and spent days drinking his way through the liquor selection. In San Jose, Calif., a restaurant owner watched from his phone as security cameras recorded a burglar’s helping himself to the best bottles in the bar. And in San Francisco, a restaurant in the city’s wholesale Flower Mart was robbed or vandalized four times in less than a month.
The coronavirus pandemic has hit small and independent restaurants hard, forcing owners to shutter dining rooms and lay off employees. But the shutdowns have done more than imperil the restaurants’ financial health — they have made the buildings themselves tempting targets for burglars emboldened by the quiet streets and deserted spaces.	The coronavirus pandemic has hit small and independent restaurants hard, forcing owners to shutter dining rooms and lay off employees. But the shutdowns have done more than imperil the restaurants’ financial health — they have made the buildings themselves tempting targets for burglars emboldened by the quiet streets and deserted spaces.
Across the country, closed restaurants have been invaded by thieves who seem especially drawn to well-stocked liquor cabinets, and iPads and other equipment.	Across the country, closed restaurants have been invaded by thieves who seem especially drawn to well-stocked liquor cabinets, and iPads and other equipment.
“It’s the perfect storm,” said Kam Razavi, an owner of the restaurant in San Jose, Loft Bar and Bistro. “They know everybody is probably at home with a loaded gun. They’re not going to go rob homes. They’re going to go to closed businesses.”	“It’s the perfect storm,” said Kam Razavi, an owner of the restaurant in San Jose, Loft Bar and Bistro. “They know everybody is probably at home with a loaded gun. They’re not going to go rob homes. They’re going to go to closed businesses.”
When his restaurant was broken into in early April, Mr. Razavi had already laid off most of his 75 or so employees, and was uncertain whether he would ever reopen. Now, he is out $5,000 from stolen alcohol, a broken door and cleanup costs. “It’s like somebody pouring salt on your wound,” he said.	When his restaurant was broken into in early April, Mr. Razavi had already laid off most of his 75 or so employees, and was uncertain whether he would ever reopen. Now, he is out $5,000 from stolen alcohol, a broken door and cleanup costs. “It’s like somebody pouring salt on your wound,” he said.
Although crime rates have fallen across the country, break-ins at small businesses have increased in some cities. The Texas county that contains Houston reported a 19 percent increase in commercial burglaries in late March. There has been a spate of restaurant and bar break-ins in Washington, D.C.	Although crime rates have fallen across the country, break-ins at small businesses have increased in some cities. The Texas county that contains Houston reported a 19 percent increase in commercial burglaries in late March. There has been a spate of restaurant and bar break-ins in Washington, D.C.
Since New York City declared a state of emergency on March 12, the number of commercial burglaries has surged to 763, from 330 over the same period in 2019, the police said. More than 140 of those break-ins have taken place at restaurants, nearly three times as many as during the same time last year. Other retailers, like gas stations and candy stores, have also seen a big rise in thefts.	Since New York City declared a state of emergency on March 12, the number of commercial burglaries has surged to 763, from 330 over the same period in 2019, the police said. More than 140 of those break-ins have taken place at restaurants, nearly three times as many as during the same time last year. Other retailers, like gas stations and candy stores, have also seen a big rise in thefts.
“They’re targeting the small merchants, they’re targeting eateries,” said Michael LiPetri, the chief of crime strategies for the New York City Police Department. “It’s outrageous.”	“They’re targeting the small merchants, they’re targeting eateries,” said Michael LiPetri, the chief of crime strategies for the New York City Police Department. “It’s outrageous.”
Mr. LiPetri said the department has reassigned detectives from other beats to go after burglars. In San Francisco, the Golden Gate Restaurant Association held conference calls this week in which a crime-prevention nonprofit group taught restaurant owners how to protect their businesses during the pandemic.	Mr. LiPetri said the department has reassigned detectives from other beats to go after burglars. In San Francisco, the Golden Gate Restaurant Association held conference calls this week in which a crime-prevention nonprofit group taught restaurant owners how to protect their businesses during the pandemic.
“There’s a perception that there could be more things of value in a restaurant,” said Laurie Thomas, the association’s acting executive director. “Alcohol has value. Some people think there’s still cash in the place.”	“There’s a perception that there could be more things of value in a restaurant,” said Laurie Thomas, the association’s acting executive director. “Alcohol has value. Some people think there’s still cash in the place.”
The San Francisco Police Department has increased patrols in neighborhoods populated by many small businesses. But extra patrols were not enough to protect Bechelli’s Flower Market Cafe, once a popular lunch spot for police officers stationed nearby. One night at the end of March, a thief climbed in through a small window at the back of the bar and stole about 20 bottles of liquor.	The San Francisco Police Department has increased patrols in neighborhoods populated by many small businesses. But extra patrols were not enough to protect Bechelli’s Flower Market Cafe, once a popular lunch spot for police officers stationed nearby. One night at the end of March, a thief climbed in through a small window at the back of the bar and stole about 20 bottles of liquor.
“We kind of figured it would be bound to happen,” said Jan Bechelli, who runs the restaurant with her husband, Mark. “When this is going on, people are going to react this way.”	“We kind of figured it would be bound to happen,” said Jan Bechelli, who runs the restaurant with her husband, Mark. “When this is going on, people are going to react this way.”
The next day, Mr. Bechelli boarded up the window from the inside. Later that week, someone kicked through the same window, taking more alcohol.	The next day, Mr. Bechelli boarded up the window from the inside. Later that week, someone kicked through the same window, taking more alcohol.
Still, Mr. Bechelli resisted boarding up the entire restaurant. In its previous 32 years, the business had been broken into only once. Then two more windows were smashed, in apparent acts of vandalism. “After four of them, I realized that I had to do it,” Mr. Bechelli said.	Still, Mr. Bechelli resisted boarding up the entire restaurant. In its previous 32 years, the business had been broken into only once. Then two more windows were smashed, in apparent acts of vandalism. “After four of them, I realized that I had to do it,” Mr. Bechelli said.
Most restaurant owners who have had burglaries expect their insurance companies to cover at least a portion of the damage, though the pandemic has created backlogs for claims, delaying payments in some cases. The theft and vandalism cost the Bechellis about $6,000, only a third of which will be covered, they said.	Most restaurant owners who have had burglaries expect their insurance companies to cover at least a portion of the damage, though the pandemic has created backlogs for claims, delaying payments in some cases. The theft and vandalism cost the Bechellis about $6,000, only a third of which will be covered, they said.
The burglaries were yet another indignity in a month that had already been bad enough. Like many small restaurant owners, Mr. Bechelli has had to shut down his business and lay off valued employees. “It’s a violation,” he said. “It was hard to take.”	The burglaries were yet another indignity in a month that had already been bad enough. Like many small restaurant owners, Mr. Bechelli has had to shut down his business and lay off valued employees. “It’s a violation,” he said. “It was hard to take.”
Some burglars haven’t gotten far. Shortly after the lockdown in New York, a would-be thief broke into Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, in Harlem, and put a few half-empty bottles of alcohol into a bag. When he came upstairs from the basement, police officers were waiting for him.	Some burglars haven’t gotten far. Shortly after the lockdown in New York, a would-be thief broke into Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, in Harlem, and put a few half-empty bottles of alcohol into a bag. When he came upstairs from the basement, police officers were waiting for him.
“It was the dumbest break-in ever,” said John Stage, the owner.	“It was the dumbest break-in ever,” said John Stage, the owner.
But other thieves have settled in for a marathon binge. Soul de Cuba, the New Haven cafe, hosted an unwelcome visitor for days.	But other thieves have settled in for a marathon binge. Soul de Cuba, the New Haven cafe, hosted an unwelcome visitor for days.
On April 11, about an hour after the owner, Jesus Puerto, left, an intruder entered the deserted restaurant. He spent three days inside, drinking liquor and breaking bottles. By the time he was arrested, more than 70 bottles of alcohol were missing, contaminated or empty, police records show. Mr. Puerto estimated the break-in cost him at least $5,000, for professional cleanup, glassware, missing and damaged iPads and other goods.	On April 11, about an hour after the owner, Jesus Puerto, left, an intruder entered the deserted restaurant. He spent three days inside, drinking liquor and breaking bottles. By the time he was arrested, more than 70 bottles of alcohol were missing, contaminated or empty, police records show. Mr. Puerto estimated the break-in cost him at least $5,000, for professional cleanup, glassware, missing and damaged iPads and other goods.
~~Updated June 2, 2020~~	Updated June 5, 2020
	The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.	Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.	Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.	States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.	Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.	Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)	If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.	Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.	The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.	If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.	If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
But as news outlets reported the story, he said, he was surprised by an online accusation that he might have staged the intrusion to collect an insurance payment. “My insurance premium is not a low premium,” he said. “There is no money to be made in this. At all. What benefit would we have had?”	But as news outlets reported the story, he said, he was surprised by an online accusation that he might have staged the intrusion to collect an insurance payment. “My insurance premium is not a low premium,” he said. “There is no money to be made in this. At all. What benefit would we have had?”
Like many restaurant owners, Mr. Razavi, in San Jose, expected the shutdown to last only a few weeks. When he closed his Loft Bar and Bistro, he cleared the bar on the street level and moved all the cash to a safe in the office. But he left the second-floor bar as it was.	Like many restaurant owners, Mr. Razavi, in San Jose, expected the shutdown to last only a few weeks. When he closed his Loft Bar and Bistro, he cleared the bar on the street level and moved all the cash to a safe in the office. But he left the second-floor bar as it was.
Early one morning in April, two thieves broke through the door to a rooftop patio and crept to the upstairs bar. They stole about $2,200 worth of alcohol, mostly high-end tequilas, Mr. Razavi said. “They definitely knew their alcohol,” he said. “It wasn’t random, but it amazes me that they would do it for alcohol.”	Early one morning in April, two thieves broke through the door to a rooftop patio and crept to the upstairs bar. They stole about $2,200 worth of alcohol, mostly high-end tequilas, Mr. Razavi said. “They definitely knew their alcohol,” he said. “It wasn’t random, but it amazes me that they would do it for alcohol.”
In some states, a small handful of restaurants have begun to reopen, experimenting with socially distanced dining rooms and reusable menus. But across most of the country, restaurants are likely to stay closed for weeks or months.	In some states, a small handful of restaurants have begun to reopen, experimenting with socially distanced dining rooms and reusable menus. But across most of the country, restaurants are likely to stay closed for weeks or months.
So owners are seeking ways to keep their buildings safe. Many have boarded up windows. Others keep the lights on, or obsessively check the security feeds on their phones. Those who live near their restaurants drop by almost every day.	So owners are seeking ways to keep their buildings safe. Many have boarded up windows. Others keep the lights on, or obsessively check the security feeds on their phones. Those who live near their restaurants drop by almost every day.