Introduction to Enhanced Bodega Safety
Mayor Eric Adams revealed on Sunday that some 500 Bodegas across the Big Apple will soon be equipped with panic buttons, although he won’t say which ones.
Mayor Eric Adams revealed on Sunday that some 500 bodegas across the Big Apple will soon be equipped with panic buttons, although he won’t say which shops would receive them to keep crooks on their toes.
The Investment in Safety
Holding up a panic button outside the Bronx’s Pamela Green Deli, located at 1798 Crotona Ave., Hizzoner said that his administration is making the $1.6 million investment to equip the storefronts with technology that will immediately connect workers with the NYPD in case of an emergency.
“We’re going to have a direct communication to the Police Department, 500 bodegas, $1.6 million that we’re investing in this initiative,” Mayor Adams said. “Instead of just having the cats keep away the rats, we’re going to have a direct connection with the police to keep away those dangerous cats that try to rob our stores.”
SilentShields: The New Safety Measure
Holding up a panic button outside the Bronx’s Pamela Green Deli, located at 1798 Crotona Avenue, Hizzoner said that his administration is making a $1.6 million investment to equip the storefronts with technology that will immediately connect workers with the NYPD in case of an emergency.
Mayor Adams said that he would not reveal which stores they will be placed in to keep potential criminals guessing. He did say the devices will be placed in bodegas with the highest levels of crime to improve staff and customer safety.
Dubbed “SilentShields,” the buttons will both trigger a police response and connect cops to store cameras so they can see incidents as they unfold in real time.
“SilentShields gives workers peace of mind as it also serves as a crime prevention tool. It allows quick response to a potential violent situation for police officers to save lives,” NYPD Chief of Department John Chell said. “Ultimately, it helps keep everyone safe and sends a message.”
The Need for Enhanced Safety
Violent assaults on store workers have been a disturbing trend over the last several months. On March 19, amNewYork obtained video of a man stabbing a 24-year-old Harlem bodega worker in the neck with a knife during an attempted robbery.
Earlier this year, on Jan. 5, a gunman opened fire on a 16-year-old boy inside a Brooklyn store.
United Bodega Association spokesperson Fernando Mateo said he would like to see the tech installed right away.
“There’s no reason why we can’t start tomorrow, it’s in the budget,” Mateo said. “That’s what we’re expecting, to start immediately.”
Conclusion
The introduction of panic buttons in 500 NYC bodegas marks a significant step towards enhancing safety for store workers and customers. With the ability to directly connect with the NYPD and provide real-time footage of incidents, these SilentShields buttons are expected to deter crime and improve response times. As the city continues to grapple with violent assaults on store workers, this $1.6 million investment is a welcome move towards creating a safer environment for all.
FAQs
Q: How many bodegas will be equipped with panic buttons?
A: 500 bodegas across NYC will be equipped with panic buttons.
Q: What is the purpose of the panic buttons?
A: The panic buttons, dubbed SilentShields, will trigger a police response and connect cops to store cameras, allowing them to see incidents in real-time.
Q: Why won’t Mayor Adams reveal which stores will receive the panic buttons?
A: To keep potential criminals guessing and ensure the effectiveness of the safety measure.
Q: How much is the city investing in this initiative?
A: The city is investing $1.6 million in this initiative.
Q: When can we expect the panic buttons to be installed?
A: According to United Bodega Association spokesperson Fernando Mateo, there’s no reason why the installation can’t start immediately, given that it’s already in the budget.
