NYC Bodega Violence Spurs Renewed Panic Button Push

After a stabbing in Inwood and a shooting in the Bronx last week left two bodega workers dead, the United Bodegas of America (UBA) is intensifying calls for panic buttons and real-time NYPD surveillance in all New York City bodegas. UBA leaders, including spokesperson Fernando Mateo, argue that direct police-linked panic buttons could save lives, noting that neither affected location had such security measures. In response to escalating violence, state lawmakers have introduced the 'bodega act of 2025' to fund grants for panic buttons and surveillance, while a city bill to reimburse small businesses was proposed last year. Despite a pilot program installing about 50 panic buttons in high-crime areas, this is only a small fraction of the city’s 25,000–30,000 bodegas, and issues with police system integration have led to inconsistent response times. Some workers have expressed hesitancy about adopting the devices, but the recent incidents are driving renewed debate over security. UBA stresses the necessity for immediate government action to better protect bodega workers and customers.