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Quinn Proposes Boycott Of Fight-Happy Village McDonald's
By
Garth Johnston
Published Mar 27, 2012
Modified Mar 27, 2012
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By
Garth Johnston
Published Mar 27, 2012
Modified Mar 27, 2012
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A St. Patrick's Day fight was apparently the final straw. After a video of St. Patty's melee outside of a West Village McDonald's first appeared on Gothamist, City Council Speaker and mayoral hopeful Christine Quinn has gone and called for a boycott of the place. Cause that'll solve the problem of people fighting outside!
"We're asking folks in the neighborhood not to support this McDonald's until this McDonald's supports the neighborhood," Quinn said while passing out fliers near the fast food restaurant this week. "The first thing this McDonald's needs to do is engage better security through the paid detail option that our police department offers. Those are off-duty police officers trained in how to do this type of security. That will be a huge step forward, make a difference and be a show of good faith."
The owner of the McDonald's franchise, however, says they already are working with a security detail. In a statement released Monday owner Carmen Paulino said that "As part of the West Village community, we fully recognize and understand the need for neighborhood security to ensure the safety of residents and guests. To do our part, we’ve had contract security personnel on-site Wednesday through Saturday since last summer." They just aren't an off-duty NYPD detail, see? "The safety of my employees and customers will always be a priority," she said. "I am committed to doing the right thing."
Still, the fact remains that the McDonald's has been the site of some nasty fights lately. Beyond the St. Pat's brawl there were the two women who jumped the store's counter and were beaten with a metal rod by an employee acting in self-defense and then there was the alleged gay bashing just outside the restaurant almost a year ago. And that's the rub for Quinn and co. In a letter to Paulino they write: "As a business owner you have a responsibility to not only ensure your business continues to thrive, but to help insure the safety and wellbeing in and around the immediate area of your establishment."
Tagged
boycott
christine quinn
manhattan
mcdonald's
nypd
village
violence
west village
Garth Johnston
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