Recent incidents of violence within the convenient stores of New York city, commonly known as bodegas, have sparked an outcry among workers for the installation of emergency alarm systems to notify police in crisis scenarios, as expressed by workers’ representatives. Despite assurances from city and state officials to fund these panic buttons, workers are yet to see these promises materialize. Fernando Mateo, representing the United Bodegas of America, highlighted the urgency of the situation during a press announcement in front of Ameer Deli & Grill, where a young man aged 24 lost his life due to a knife attack amidst a conflict with two other individuals.
‘Two lives have been lost within a bodega in less than 48 hours. This escalation in violence must be addressed immediately. The fear of waking up to news of such brutality taking place in bodegas needs to be eradicated,’ said Mateo. Another tragic event unfolded the following day within the vicinity of Shak Deli situated at E. 217th St. and Bronxwood Ave, Williamsbridge, Bronx. A young man, Sorai King aged 20, was shot in the neck and chest during a confrontation with another individual.
King, described by his distraught family as a caring individual, was on a simple errand to the store to fetch snacks for his mother when the horrific incident happened. His teenage niece was quoted in the daily news stating, ‘He left home on a regular trip to the shop for his mother and never returned. We realized the severity of the situation only after we were approached by detectives.’ Thus far, no arrests have been made in either of the cases.
The gravity of the situation was encapsulated by Mateo’s assertion that if panic buttons were available in each bodega, authorities could have been alerted immediately, possibly leading to prompt arrests or even prevention of fatalities. ‘[Such an emergency system] can truly make a difference between life and death for these store workers’, said Mateo, who also mentioned growing demand among his membership for the installation of these panic buttons.
Mateo painted a grim image of a potential scenario, where a villain enters a bodega with a weapon, ready to rob the cashier, while the bodega worker in the back presses the panic button, notifying the police immediately. He urged the Governor to take action for the sake of these small businesses making up New York City’s landscape. His plea echoed the call for funds to prevent loss of lives, particularly of those who elected the said government officials into positions of power.
Despite the availability of emergency alarm systems in around 50 of over 25,000 city bodegas, Mateo pointed out that the issue still needs to be addressed on a larger scale. ‘Just 50 stores out of such a huge number is barely making a dent,’ Mateo stated. According to him, the currently installed panic buttons connect the user to a call center, which then dials 911.
Mateo expressed concern over the delay inherent in this system, stating ‘By the time the emergency dispatchers receive the call, understand the situation, and relay the message to the police, a life can be lost, and a perpetrator can escape the scene undeterred.’ Mateo added that the rise in violence has resulted in many bodega workers quitting their jobs out of fear.
Bodega workers often find themselves facing unfolding violence directly, leading to fear and anxiety, Mateo stated. Due to the perceived risks, many potential employees are reluctant to work in bodegas. Mateo noted, ‘Bodegas should ideally be safe places, something which isn’t the case currently.’
It’s anticipated that the new panic buttons, once installed, would allow direct video communication with a New York Police Department control center, facilitating real-time crime scene assessment and immediate dispatch of necessary assistance. ‘This kind of violence is avoidable’, Mateo said with confidence, while emphasizing the role of technology, stating, ‘It’s simple, thanks to modern technology.’
Legislative assistance is on the horizon with a proposed bill in Albany, dubbed as the ‘Bodega Act’, aimed at providing grants to convenience stores, food marts, and bodegas for the installation of panic buttons and surveillance equipment. The bill is currently under review by the Assembly’s codes committee.
Last year, there was an attempt at legislative action by a New York City Representative who drafted a bill allowing store owners to tap into federal grant funding for the addition of security equipment and panic buttons. This move followed a series of violent incidents targeting workers at these bodegas, leaving these stores and their owners on high alert.
The legislation came as an integral part of the efforts to ensure the security of small businesses and to address the mounting concerns about safety among bodega owners and employees. This led to widespread calls for the implementation of more safety measures from all corners.
Mateo hammered home the significance of these city bodegas stating, ‘We need everyone in this city to realize that bodegas act as community hubs. They are not a simple destination for purchasing goods.’ According to Mateo, the ubiquity of bodegas makes them a prominent aspect of city life where many seek refuge in times of emergencies.