In a series of violent attacks on employees at bodegas in New York City, a Mexican mother of three, Oralia Amad, was brutally assaulted, sparking concern among the community and prompting action from the United Bodegas of America (UBA). The UBA has implemented a pilot program to install panic buttons in high-risk bodegas to alert authorities and neighbors in case of emergencies, following a spate of violent incidents, including assault and murder.
The UBA President, Fernando Radhamés Rodríguez, attributes the rise in attacks to a sense of impunity among perpetrators and calls for tighter security measures. However, the cost of installing and maintaining panic buttons remains a hurdle for many bodega owners. The UBA is advocating for public funding to support the program and ensure the safety of employees and customers in these essential neighborhood establishments.
As violence spreads to previously safe neighborhoods, the urgency for enhanced security measures grows. With discussions ongoing about funding the expansion of the panic button program, the community waits for concrete action to protect these vital hubs of city life.
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