Mayor Eric Adams announced Sunday that 500 bodegas across New York City will soon be equipped with panic buttons to help protect store workers and deter crime—starting with a Bronx deli.
Standing outside Pamela Green Deli at 1798 Crotona Ave., Adams held up one of the devices, which he said would directly connect shop employees with the NYPD in an emergency. The $1.6 million investment, part of a new safety program dubbed “SilentShields,” will prioritize stores located in areas with high levels of crime.
“We’re going to have a direct communication to the Police Department, 500 bodegas, $1.6 million that we’re investing in this initiative,” Mayor Adams said. “Instead of just having the cats keep away the rats, we’re going to have a direct connection with the police to keep away those dangerous cats that try to rob our stores.”
The devices will not only alert police but also link officers to a store’s cameras in real time, allowing them to view what’s happening during a crisis. Adams added that he would not disclose which stores will receive the devices in order to keep potential offenders guessing.“SilentShields gives workers peace of mind as it also serves as a crime prevention tool. It allows quick response to a potential violent situation for police officers to save lives,” said NYPD Chief of Department John Chell. “Ultimately, it helps keep everyone safe and sends a message.”The announcement comes amid a troubling rise in assaults targeting bodega workers. On March 19, a Harlem bodega worker was stabbed in the neck with a knife during an attempted robbery, as captured on video obtained by the Bronx Times. Earlier this year, on Jan. 5, a 16-year-old boy was shot inside a Brooklyn store.Fernando Mateo, spokesperson for the United Bodega Association, called for immediate implementation of the new technology.“There’s no reason why we can’t start tomorrow, it’s in the budget,” Mateo said. “That’s what we’re expecting, to start immediately.”The SilentShields rollout marks the latest step in Mayor Adams’ ongoing efforts to combat retail crime and boost public safety in the city’s small businesses—particularly in underserved communities like the Bronx.
