Overview
- Mayor Eric Adams announced the initiative following a series of violent incidents in bodegas, including a recent fatal stabbing in Harlem.
- The $1.6 million program will equip 500 bodegas in high-crime areas with SilentShield panic buttons to enhance safety for workers and customers.
- The panic buttons will connect directly to the NYPD’s command center, enabling real-time video access and quicker police responses.
- Bodega locations receiving the devices will remain undisclosed to enhance security and deter potential criminals.
- United Bodegas of America, which has long advocated for panic buttons, praised the initiative as a significant step in protecting vulnerable workers.