NYC Bodegas Get $1 Million Each For Crime Prevention: What's Included?

NYC Bodegas Get $1 Million Each for Crime Prevention: What's Included?

New York City bodegas are getting a major boost in security thanks to a new federal funding program. Rep. Adriano Espaillat, who represents Washington Heights, secured the funding for five security initiatives aimed at combating crime against bodegas in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx.

These initiatives include:

• Violence interrupters: Training young people to prevent violence among their peers.
• Gang suppression: Crackdown on gang activity in the northwest Bronx.
• Police in schools: Police teams will be present in schools to coach kids in baseball and conduct individual assessments for each business along Broadway from 90th to 218th Streets.
• Security upgrades: Bodegas will receive funds for camera installations, improved locks, and other security measures.
• Business-to-business assessments: Police teams will be going business to business to implement security improvements.

The funding will also pay for the installation of 800 cameras within the first year. This program is designed to protect over 20,000 bodegas in New York state that face the biggest risk of crime.

Radhames Rodriguez, president of United Bodegas of America, says the measures will not only make employees feel safer but also the communities they serve. Each of the five initiatives received about $1 million in federal funding.

This program is a much-needed step to address the ongoing problem of crime against bodegas in NYC. By providing funding for security improvements and crime prevention programs, the city is taking a proactive approach to protect these vital businesses and their communities.