In the wake of two fatal incidents in New York City bodegas, workers are calling for the installation of panic buttons in their stores to swiftly alert law enforcement during emergencies, according to advocacy groups.
Fernando Mateo, representing the United Bodegas of America, expressed frustration over the unfulfilled promises of state and city officials to fund these panic buttons.
Mateo, standing outside the Ameer Deli & Grill, where a 24-year-old man was tragically stabbed to death in a recent altercation, stated, In the last 48 hours, weve had two people killed inside of a bodega. He passionately called for an end to the violence, saying, Lets stop the killings. We dont want to get up tomorrow and know that another person got killed in a bodega. We need to stop it.
As reported by American Military News, another incident occurred at the Shak Deli in Williamsbridge, Bronx, where 20-year-old Sorai King was shot in the neck and chest during a dispute. King was merely on an errand to fetch a snack for his mother when he was fatally shot, leaving his family devastated. His 15-year-old niece, Nana King, told the Daily News, He was going to the store for his mother. He was very loving. He went to the store and he never came back. We only knew something was wrong when the detectives came.
Mateo argued that the installation of panic buttons in each bodega could have potentially saved lives by enabling immediate police notification. He said, If someone walks into a bodega with a gun and is robbing the cashier, and hes in the back with a panic button, he can surprise that gunman by pressing a button and the cops will come immediately.
Mateo urged the governor to take action, saying, We need for our governor to govern and to do whats right for these small businesses in New York City. We need cash to save lives, to save the lives of the people who vote you into office.
Despite the fact that only about 50 out of the more than 25,000 bodegas in the city are equipped with panic buttons, Mateo remains hopeful. He believes that the new panic buttons, once purchased, will provide a video link directly to an NYPD command center, enabling law enforcement to witness the crime in real time and dispatch help immediately.
A new bill, known as the Bodega Act, is currently under review by the Assemblys codes committee. This legislation aims to provide grants to bodegas, convenience stores, and food marts wishing to install panic buttons and surveillance equipment. Last year, New York City Rep. Ritchie Torres introduced a similar bill that would allow bodega owners to access federal grant money for security equipment.
Mateo emphasized the importance of bodegas in the community, saying, We need for everyone in this city to understand that these bodegas are community centers. Theyre not just (places) where people go in and buy something. When someone is running away from a problem, they run into a bodega because were everywhere.
The NYPD has yet to comment on the United Bodegas of America's proposal for panic buttons. As the city grapples with these recent tragedies, the call for enhanced security measures in bodegas underscores the urgent need for action. The hope is that these measures will not only protect the lives of workers and customers but also restore the sense of safety and community that these establishments have traditionally provided.
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