In a move to enhance safety for small business workers, Mayor Eric Adams unveiled a $1.6 million plan to install emergency “SilentShield” panic buttons in approximately 500 bodegas across New York City. This initiative aims to provide bodega employees with a direct line to the NYPD during emergencies, allowing for real-time video access and quicker police response times.
The decision follows recent violent incidents, including a fatal stabbing in a Harlem bodega and a robbery in Brooklyn where suspects impersonated police officers. These events have intensified calls from the United Bodegas of America (UBA) for improved security measures.
The “SilentShield” system, when activated, connects directly to the nearest NYPD precinct, providing officers with live surveillance footage from the store. This technology is designed to bypass traditional 911 calls, aiming to reduce response times and enhance situational awareness for responding officers.
Mayor Adams emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Bodegas are part of the heart and soul of New York City. They are on every corner; they are there for us at all hours. This program will bring peace of mind to our bodega owners, while protecting the working-class New Yorkers who work and frequent bodegas.”
The city will distribute the funds through an emergency grant to the UBA, which will oversee the installation of the devices. To maintain an element of unpredictability and deter potential criminals, officials have decided not to disclose the specific locations of the equipped bodegas.
UBA spokesperson Fernando Mateo praised the initiative, calling “SilentShields” a “game changer” for bodega workers who have long faced security challenges. He added, “For too long, bodega workers have suffered in silence, while help was out of reach. But today, that silence ends,” as reported on NYC.
Installation of the panic buttons is expected to begin in the coming months, with priority given to stores in high-crime areas. The UBA will solicit competitive bids for the technology to ensure efficient deployment.
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