With more than a dozen bodegas attacked in a wave of armed robberies since January, two organizations are now trying to determine how to defend them: ASOBEU (the Association of Bodega Owners in the United States), headed by Ramón Murphy, and the recently created Federation of Bodega Owners, led by ASOBEU's ex-president, José Fernández.
Although bodega owners are glad that two groups working to promote their interests, the organizations have distinct ideas about how to resolve the problems of the city's 18,000 bodegas.
The most striking difference is in the proposals of both groups to arm bodega owners as a way to reduce violence.
ASOBEU supports authorizing all bodega owners to carry weapons to prevent violence.
"We are in favor of bodega owners carrying weapons. This prevents thieves from entering a store if they know that bodega owners can defend themselves," said a spokesperson.
The Federation believes that only bodega owners in high-risk neighborhoods should carry firearms and that, given the danger of such an undertaking, the city should help bodega owners apply for permits.
"We are against the idea of all bodega owners being armed, because this could put them in danger. Ninety percent of deaths and injuries for bodega owners occur because they resist," said Fernández. "If a bodega owner with a bat or a machete reacts to a robbery, which isn't a given, imagine what might happen if he had a gun," he said.
The president of Hispanics Across America, Fernando Mateo, said that since Fernández left the position of president of ASOBEU to go to the Dominican Republic, Murphy is the one who has led the association and strengthened it with programs that are benefiting the commercial sector.
"Fernández returned to the Dominican Republic and formed a Federation of Bodega Owners. I don't understand why because these businessmen already have an organization to represent them," said Mateo.
Fernández said that he founded the Federation of Bodega Owners because he saw ASOBEU as operating more at a local level, "and what we are aiming to do is represent these businessmen at the national level."
A History of Safe Store
The Safe Store program, which has existed in various forms, began after ASOBEU published a report in 1999 that found from1999 to 2002, about 205 bodegas had been attacked, which led to 12 deaths.
"Mayor Michael Bloomberg became interested and started a pilot program in 2003, installing security cameras in 10 bodegas that were located near police stations with the highest rates of attacks on bodegas," Fernández explained. After three months, the program proved so effective that Councilman Joel Rivera funded the Safe Store program in an additional 20 stores.
In its first phase, the program included security cameras, but no safety training.
In 2005, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) presented a plan to the U.S. Department of Justice. The program was implemented in 200 vulnerable bodegas, and instructions were given on where to place security cameras for improved safety.
Two months ago, after a new wave of crime, ASOBEU relaunched the program under the name Safe Bodegas: Safe Communities, and focused on training bodega owners how to defend themselves if attacked. Since then, ASOBEU has given two workshops in partnership with the Crime Prevention Section of the NYPD. In all, 120 bodega owners attended.
After receiving complaints from bodega owners that the program placed too much emphasis on courses and training workshops, recent discussions with the police have resulted in an improved program with new elements, such as a sign placed at the entrance of a store to warn that bodega owners have been trained to respond to crime and that the store is equipped with security cameras.
Luis Ducasse, executive director of ASOBEU, said that the organization offers other services besides the Safe Bodegas: Safe Communities program; among these are legal and financial counseling, assistance to obtain licenses and negotiate rental agreements, and a specialized team from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to help bodega owners with their taxes.
Bodega owners say it is beneficial to have two organizations representing them.
"Our biggest problem right now is the lack of security and if both ASOBEU and the Federation are working to help us, it's all for the better," said Roberto Pérez, 38, who owns the Estrella Deli in the Burnside section of the Bronx.
Domingo Salcedo, 47, owner of the Nordomi Deli in Jamaica, Queens, said that he is part of ASOBEU in Queens and Brooklyn and that he is not against the Federation.
"We want organizations that support us in our efforts to maintain security, and we want the city to recognize how bodega owners contribute to the local economy," said Salcedo.
