Recent incidents in New York City bodegas have prompted workers to advocate for the installation of panic buttons as a safety measure to alert police during emergencies. Despite assurances from state and city officials to fund these devices, finances have yet to be allocated.
Within a 48-hour span, two fatal incidents occurred at local bodegas. At Ameer Deli & Grill, a 24-year-old man was fatally stabbed in the neck amid an altercation involving two other men. The following day, Sorai King, aged 20, was tragically shot in the neck and chest outside Shak Deli in the Bronx while on an errand for his mother.
Fernando Mateo from the United Bodegas of America emphasized the potential life-saving benefits of panic buttons, which could allow police to respond immediately. He highlighted that only around 50 of New York City’s more than 25,000 bodegas currently have such systems, which connect to a call center before reaching emergency services.
The current process can delay response times, he noted, resulting in ongoing risks to bodega workers, many of whom have resigned due to the violence. Mateo envisions a more direct system linking panic buttons to an NYPD command center, allowing real-time video monitoring and faster dispatch of assistance.
Legislation, known as the “Bodega Act,” has been proposed in Albany to provide grants to bodegas and similar establishments for panic buttons and surveillance equipment. Meanwhile, New York City Representative Ritchie Torres introduced a bill to enable bodega owners to access federal grants for security upgrades, following numerous attacks on workers.
Bodegas serve as vital community hubs, providing refuge and resources. There is a pressing need to enhance their safety for both employees and patrons.