Bus Fire, Other Vandalism Leaves Workers Worried In Bushwick
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Some say a rash of vandalism in Bushwick, Brooklyn has taken a turn for the worse.
As CBS2's Ilana Gold reported, a crime was recently caught on camera. But residents said there is nothing they can do.
The NYPD on Tuesday was on the hunt for the vandals whose acts have grown more brazen lately. Cameras captured the scene on Randolph Street near Varick Avenue in Bushwick after an empty bus was set on fire around 8:30 p.m. the night of Monday, May 9.
Giant flames shot from the windows of the bus, and thick smoke filled the industrial area before crews arrived. Investigators told CBS2 someone intentionally set the fire.
"It looked completely burnt to a crisp," said Adrien Travis, who works in the area.
Surveillance video showed someone with a bag walk up to the bus moments earlier, and then two people are seen leaving and heading down the street.
But as of Tuesday, police still did not know who torched the bus.
A supervisor at a warehouse just feet away said the fire could easily have spread to his business. He spoke to CBS2 anonymously.
"It's very worrisome because the neighborhood, instead of getting better, is getting worse," the warehouse supervisor said. He added that he is worried for his own safety.
The warehouse supervisor told CBS2 that homeless people moved into nearby abandoned trailers several months ago, and ever since, they have been breaking into gated parking lots and cars along with stealing scrap metal.
"I'm not making things up," he said. "Things are happening."
People in the neighborhood told CBS2 they have recently called 311 at least 10 different times to report these problems, and said the city is not doing enough to fix the issues.
"Something needs to change," the warehouse supervisor said. "We need more patrols around here. We need security."
CBS2 reached out to Mayor Bill de Blasio's office to find out what is being done to keep Bushwick safe, particularly after the bus fire. But no one returned correspondence.
Workers in the area said the crime needs to stop.
"It doesn't pay for us to stay over here. We're thinking of relocating to a different state," the warehouse supervisor said. "We might move out."
He said after the suspected arson fire, the supervisor and other workers are afraid someone is going to get hurt.
CBS2 also reached out to city Councilman Antonio Reynoso (D-34th), who represents the neighborhood. A representative for Reynoso said the councilman is looking into the problems.