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4mo ago

NYC Allocates $1.6M for Panic Buttons in 500 High-Crime Bodegas

The SilentShield devices will link store cameras to the NYPD for faster responses, with installation set to begin in the coming months.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announces $1.6 million in funding to equip an estimated 500 bodegas across the five boroughs with “SilentShields” buttons that bodega staff can press to immediately call the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in cases of emergency. Pamela Green Deli, 1798 Crotona Avenue, Bronx, NY. Sunday, May 4, 2025. (Benny Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office)
WNYC and Gothamist have partnered on a community survey focused in bodegas, which are essential to many aspects of culture throughout New York City.
Mayor Eric Adams makes an affordability and housing related announcement at Woodhull II Residence on April 28, 2025 in New York City.
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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.