Wang Bingyan
October 2, 2026
Sing Tao Daily
Shop owners are facing harassment, and employees are unsure how to respond; applying for licenses also presents language barriers and complicated procedures. On the 1st, New York State Attorney General Republican candidate Sarissa Komatireddy met with business owners and community members in Flushing to listen to their concerns. She stated that if elected, she would improve the efficiency of the Attorney General’s office and explore providing support to local law enforcement. She will challenge incumbent Democratic Attorney General Letitia James, who is seeking re-election, in this year’s election.
A business owner who has run a wedding planning shop on Prince Street for over 18 years said that Flushing’s booming economy attracts more visitors, but since the pandemic, they have also encountered homeless people or individuals suspected of drug use or mental instability entering the shop, leaving their employees unsure how to handle the situation. She pointed out that the wedding planning industry is largely staffed by women, and sometimes there are only one or two people in the shop. “There’s only one door, what can we do?”
She said, “When I encounter this kind of situation, all I can say is, ‘Okay, we can give you some money. I don’t have any cash on me. Let’s go outside and get some.'” She said that this was the only way she could think of to deal with it at the time.
Comatireddy stated that New York City must change its approach to homelessness. Businesses and residents need safe communities, and people with serious mental health or addiction issues need appropriate care. She advocates for providing safe shelters and arranging residential treatment for those in need, allowing law enforcement and service agencies to work together on the issue.
In response to reporters’ questions about alleged prostitution activities in the Flushing 40th Street area and concerns raised by residents near children’s playgrounds and residences, Comati Reddy stated that law enforcement should not only focus on the streets but also investigate whether organized crime, human trafficking, and forced sex are involved, cracking down on those who control women and profit from them through violence or other means, while protecting victims.
Language barriers and government efficiency were also key topics of discussion. Reporters inquired about the difficulties some Flushing residents face in communicating with police when filing reports due to limited English proficiency, and how the state attorney general’s office could assist businesses applying for licenses or government contracts, given language and procedural issues.
Comatiredi stated that familiarizing residents with their local precinct and community affairs officers helps build confidence in reporting incidents. She would explore providing personnel or resources to support local police or district attorneys’ offices should they require additional translation or interpretation services.
She also stated that the government’s delayed responses to applications cause businesses to spend more time and money. If elected, she will first improve the services of the state attorney general’s office to ensure that the public receives a response after submitting complaints or applications; even if the review process takes time, the progress should be communicated.
Chu Ya-ting, founder of “Ya Chao Meng,” spoke about her children’s safety on their way to school. She said that her child is in high school and commutes daily by public transportation, which worries her about potential attacks or emergencies along the way. She pointed out that many families rely on the subway and buses, and parents want to feel at ease when sending their children off to school each day.
Comatireddi responded that public transport is an important tool for students to go to school and residents to go to work, and the government has a responsibility to ensure passenger safety.
She stated that she has proposed a plan to combat public transportation crime, which, if elected, will be implemented on her first day in office. This plan includes strengthening law enforcement to prevent dangerous individuals, those with mental illnesses, and the homeless from entering stations and trains. She advocates for repeat offenders to be imprisoned and for those with severe mental illnesses to receive treatment, and stated that she will utilize the resources and authority of the state attorney general’s office to promote these measures.