'I think it’s going to be safer.' Bed-Stuy bodega worker, customers react to new panic buttons
On Sunday, Mayor Eric Adams and the United Bodegas of America [UBA] announced a protection plan to install panic buttons in 500 stores across the city.
Richard, a bodega worker in Bed-Stuy, said he’s relieved to learn that the city is installing new panic buttons to protect employees.
The announcement came after police said Richard was zip-tied and robbed at gunpoint by four men impersonating police officers and wearing NYPD jackets.
“They told me, ‘NYPD. Put your hands up!'” Richard said. “I did that, and they dropped me on the floor. They grabbed me to go over there, and they tied me up.”
The robbery happened last month on Marcus Garvey Boulevard -- just one of many bodega attacks that News 12 has reported on.
On Sunday, Mayor Eric Adams and the United Bodegas of America [UBA] announced a protection plan to install panic buttons in 500 stores across the city.
They’ll be connected directly to their local police precinct.
Richard said he’s relieved.
“I think it will be something good,” Richard said. “Yea, I think it’s going to be safer.”
The city said they’re using $1.6 million to install the so-called “SilentShields.”
The announcement came after years of pleading for increased safety measures from the UBA.
Customers are backing the bodegas workers.
“They should not be attacked like that,” said Roslyn Lewis, of Bed-Stuy. “They should put something to protect them.”
“It’s going to keep the workers safe and also the people in the store,” said Martin King, of Bed-Stuy. “It’s also going to alert the police in a timely fashion.”
For safety reasons, it is unclear which 500 bodegas will get the new panic buttons.
