BRONX TIMES REPORTER, N 38 OVEMBER 8-14, 2019 BTR
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Message from
Councilman
Mark Gjonaj
COUNCILMAN MARK GJONAJ
On June 20, 2018, 15-
year old Lesandro ‘Junior’
Guzman-Feliz was
walking alone in the Belmont
section of the Bronx,
when gang members mistook
him for a rival. After
chasing Junior to a
bodega where he hid, the
gang members dragged
him out and murdered
him. To prevent future
tragedies like it, bodegas
fought for the city to provide
them with resources
to defend themselves.
This past Monday, I
held a hearing on the bill
I introduced, Intro 1623,
which will reimburse
certain small businesses,
like bodegas, for purchase
of a panic button. A
majority of Council Members
have already signed
onto the bill.
Bodegas are part of
the lifeblood of New York
City. These corner stores
are not merely businesses,
but contribute to
the character and family
of every New York City
neighborhood. Local bodegas
provide more than
just a morning coffee or
late night snack. Bodegas
commonly sign off on
city residents’ packages,
loan out items until they
can paid for later, and are
safe havens for kids after
school.
Immigrant New Yorkers
have historically
owned these microbusinesses.
According to a
survey released by the
Bodega Association of
the United States in 2016,
over 90% of Bodegas are
owned by fi rst or secondgeneration
immigrants.
Nearly 90% of these immigrant
New Yorkers
saw the bodega industry
as a way they could work
hard and achieve the
American dream.
And yet, the city has
failed to protect these bodegas.
Unlike major box
stores, small businesses
are at an increased risk
for crime as they have
less ability to purchase
strong security system.
Bodegas, which often
open 24/7 and typically
cash businesses, are extremely
vulnerable to
crimes. According to
Jose Fernandez, a bodega
owner and former
president of the Bodega
Association of the United
States, “the Number 1
problem for bodega owners
is still safety.”
While nearly 90% of
bodega owners bought
their store as a way to
achieve prosperity, over
80% of them no longer
believe NYC is the best
American city for an immigrant
to start a thriving
small business. As
the Chair of the Small
Business Committee, I
fi nd that unacceptable.
The city must do more
to provide resources to
small businesses. No
owner of an NYC small
business should fear for
their life. My bill is a crucial
step toward making
these businesses safer, so
they can continue to be
the bedrock of our communities.
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