Bodega owners seek help after violent streak in stores across the city

Bodega owners are asking for help after several violent incidents in stores across the city.

News 12 Staff

Sep 17, 2020, 12:21 AM

Updated 1,409 days ago

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Bodega owners are asking for help after several violent incidents in stores across the city.
Owners met Wednesday with NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea, but say they are still afraid that the violence will continue.
Representatives with the United Bodegas of America also met with Shea. They say Shea told them the NYPD is doing everything it can but is limited on resources after its budget was cut.
The UBA brought with it footage of a brawl that broke out inside a bodega recently. The organization says the incident reminded them of the killing of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman Feliz.
The UBA wanted to show the footage to Shea in hope of getting more assistance to combat increasing crime.
The NYPD told the group that the department is already doing as much as it can with the resources and legislation in place.
Bodega owners also say they’re having issues making some customers comply with the mask policy, saying some confrontations turned violent when owners tried to enforce the rule.
If people are found not wearing a mask, bodega owners face fines they can’t pay. The UBA also called for stricter legislation and punishment in the hopes of bringing violence down.
The group also called on the mayor, the governor and the president to step in with funding to get the protection it is seeking.
The group says until these things happen, there’s nothing they can do to stop the violence.


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