The New York City Police Department will train hundreds of bodega owners in the first phase of a strategic program that will teach them advanced techniques for protecting themselves from assault and other crimes.

This information was provided by José Fernandez, president of Asociacion de Bodegueros de los Estados Unidos Inc. (ASOBEU) [The Association of U.S. Bodega Owners], who recently met with Detective Roberto Diaz of the Community Affairs Department at 1 Police Plaza.

Fernandez explained that Diaz appeared very receptive to the needs of bodega owners to protect themselves from thieves and murderers who frequently target small businesses.

The most recent robberies and murders victimized Fidelia Carros, who was originally from El Salvador and was killed in a shoot-out at her bodega in Union City, New Jersey on October 31.

Another fatal incident in a bodega took the life of Muslim Ali Admed Shuaibi last November 5, where he had his business on Avenue R and Nostrand Avenue. The third incident was against a Dominican bodega owner Ambioris Peña Durán, when he struggled with his attacker to defend the life of an employee. Durán, whose bodega was in Hoboken, New Jersey, was shot in the chest.

Fernandez explained that the program would reach out to all bodegas in dangerous areas to teach owners to protect themselves from criminals.

“In the second phase, the Safe Bodega program will become more sustainable,” said Fernandez.

One of Asociacion de Bodegueros de los Estados Unidos Inc.’s complaints is that local authorities, headed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, need to give continuity to the program.

Fernandez noted that the police have committed specialists to train the bodega owners, in addition to establishing coordination between the association and the precincts in each area.

“That piece will be very beneficial because the bodega owners won’t have to go to the police stations. They can contact ASOBEU instead and the institution will refer cases to the police,” said Fernandez.

No date has been set to launch the program since there are still aspects to be worked out. The details of the strategic training phase will not be widely shared for security reasons.

Fernandez said that he hoped that once implemented the program will grow stronger and that the safety of most bodega owners will be guaranteed.

“We want to thank the Police, in the name of ASOBEU and all the city’s bodega owners, for their willingness to work with us to prevent crimes against these honorable and tireless workers, whether or not they are affiliated with the association,” concluded Fernandez.