New York City businesses are getting panic buttons thanks to Mayor Eric Adams, the latest plan to tackle the city’s crime woes.
🚨NEW — NYC Mayor Eric Adams announces that "panic buttons" will be given to business owners to alert the police to ongoing crime. pic.twitter.com/Ah4EShTPDk
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 5, 2025
Store owners fed up with slow 911 responses will soon have a direct line to the cops when trouble starts, Adams announced Monday.
The Big Apple rollout comes after shopkeepers complained that by the time police arrived, the criminals were long gone. These new gadgets aim to cut through the red tape, sending an instant alert straight to the nearest precinct with the shop’s location when pressed.
City Hall says the buttons are easy to use and discreet, so owners won’t tip off crooks while calling for backup. The NYPD and the Department of Small Business Services are handling the distribution, prioritizing stores in high-crime hotspots.
Naturally, the city promises training sessions so folks know when to hit the button – and when not to. A 24/7 helpline is also planned for glitches.
Some business owners are breathing a sigh of relief, hoping the buttons bring peace of mind. But others are wary, questioning if they’ll actually work or just lead to false alarms, and demanding clear rules to prevent misuse.
This panic button plan is just one piece of Adams’ broader strategy, which also includes more cops on patrol and community programs – the usual mix aimed at showing City Hall is doing *something* about the crime that continues to plague New Yorkers. Whether these buttons are a real solution or just political theater remains to be seen.
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