New Pilot Plan to Boost Security for Small Businesses in the Bronx

Robberies, muggings and other inconsequential crimes are killing small businesses in the city, like a bodega in the South Bronx.

“Right now really, how do I tell you? How real people are, let’s put it that way, on the street, a camera is worthless, it’s worth nothing,” said Kevin Michele, a warehouse worker.

And to help mitigate this problem, State Assemblywoman Amanda Septimo, in partnership with The Bronx Community Foundation and Bodega and Small Business Group, announced a pilot plan that will increase winemaker access to security infrastructure.

“We hope that the wineries will feel more secure, that they will have peace, that they have everything they need in their business to stay safe and do their job without waiting for something to happen to them,” Septimo said.

The initiative will give 1 million dollars so that these businesses can invest in:

-New security equipment

-POS systems

-Facilities

-Security cameras with better resolution

-panic buttons

-And how does that work?

“The call arrives at the precinct, at the local precinct, this is going to be connected to a central that notifies the police at once,” said Francisco Marte, president of the Bodegueros and Small Merchants Foundation.

The program will start in the South Bronx, Harlem and Washington Heights as crime has increased dramatically, according to those present.

“Very high, very high, like never before, that has grown by more than 80%, violence, robbery in warehouses and supermarkets,” added Marte.

Although the South Bronx warehouse does not have a panic button, they say that the lack of police patrolling these areas makes them easy prey for any danger.

“A person can come here and if they don’t see blood, they won’t come, you call 911, the police and they won’t come, they come later when they’ve already ripped your head off,” added worker Kevin.

Applications will be available to small business owners beginning June 1 at Assemblywoman Septimo’s office and at The Bronx Community Foundation.

“Well, of course not, a million dollars is not going to be enough to help all the wineries, but we are going to see if we can start with this pilot and in the future we are going to increase the money that is available to help all the wineries by end,” Septimo said.

The plan, which they hope will be expanded to the state level, seeks to make residents and business owners feel secure and successful so that the local economy and community can grow and prosper.