In a bid to bolster security across New York City, Mayor Eric Adams unveiled a new initiative on Sunday aimed at curbing crime in local bodegas.
The plan involves the installation of panic buttons, which will serve as a direct line to law enforcement, enabling swift police intervention during criminal incidents. During a press conference, Adams elaborated on the functionality of these devices, stating that they will be linked to local precincts, allowing officers to access store cameras and assess situations in real-time, facilitating an "immediate response."
As reported by The Post Millennial, the city has allocated $1.6 million for this project, with plans to deploy up to 500 panic buttons in areas identified as crime "hotspots" over the coming weeks. This initiative underscores the city's commitment to reducing response times and enhancing public safety. "Instead of just having the cats keeping away the rats, were going to have a direct connection with the police to keep away those dangerous cats that try to rob our stores," Adams remarked, emphasizing the strategic advantage of this direct communication link.
The installation of these devices will be carried out by Silent Shield, a company specializing in security solutions. In a strategic move to maintain an element of unpredictability, the specific locations of the panic buttons will remain undisclosed. "No one knows who would actually have a device or not. That adds to the omnipresent and the element of surprise that were looking for," Adams explained.
The significance of bodegas in the community was highlighted by Adams, who noted that the panic buttons would provide an additional layer of protection. "The bodegas are important, and what this is going to do is add an extra layer of safety," he stated. The initiative is expected to not only safeguard those equipped with the devices but also introduce an element of uncertainty for potential criminals, with 500 devices scattered throughout the city.
This development follows a pilot program initiated by the United Bodega Association (UBA) over the summer, which saw the installation of 50 panic buttons in various bodegas. UBA spokesman Fernando Mateo praised the mayor's efforts, acknowledging the persistent challenges faced by these establishments. "This mayor has made this the safest city in the world, but there are always pockets where criminals take advantage those pockets, we all know, the trains, taxis, and bodegas were the easy target," Mateo commented. Despite previous promises from various officials, Mateo lamented that violent crimes such as killings, stabbings, and robberies continue to plague these vulnerable areas.
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