Speaker Julie Menin Announces $200,000 to Help Small Businesses Install Panic Buttons and Security Technology

Council funding will provide immediate assistance to small businesses across all five boroughs as City develops permanent security program required under Local Law 120

NEW YORK - New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin today announced $200,000 in Council discretionary funding to help small businesses across New York City purchase and install panic buttons and other security technology, providing immediate support to business owners in an effort to continue to curb retail theft.

The funding will be distributed equally among the five boroughs through the Five Borough Chamber Alliance Initiative. Each chamber will work with small businesses in its borough to provide financial assistance toward security technology designed to protect business owners, employees, and customers.

"Small business owners and their employees must feel safe at work," said Speaker Julie Menin. "This investment will put resources directly into the hands of New Yorkers, allowing small businesses to install security technology that protects their workers, customers, and livelihoods. Investments like these strengthen public safety and economic vibrancy while ensuring that our small businesses have the resources they need to fully participate in New York's economy."

"Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and every business owner deserves the resources to protect their livelihoods," said New York Attorney General Letitia James. "I thank Speaker Menin and the Five Borough Chamber Alliance Initiative for distributing these funds that will help small businesses thrive and protect workers and shoppers throughout our city. My office partnered with the NYPD to shut down a multimillion-dollar retail theft operation, and we will continue to go after thieves to keep workers, customers, and businesses safe."

"Small businesses are the heart of our economy, and we must protect them from threats that hurt their ability to operate - including retail theft and burglaries," said Councilmember Oswald Feliz. "These threats have costly impacts and can contribute to a decline in jobs, neighborhoods, and communities. Earlier this year, we passed the Small Business Protection Act to ensure our smallest businesses have access to tools that will deter conduct that could harm their workers and business. I'm thankful that Speaker Menin is delivering the funds required to ensure the goals of this bill are realized."

"For small business owners, their storefronts represent years of hard work, sacrifice, and a commitment to the communities they serve," said Council Member Shanel Thomas-Henry, Chair of the New York City Council Committee on Small Business. This $200,000 investment provides immediate, and intentional support to help protect our business corridors, particularly those in underserved communities that too often lack access to these resources. Thank you, Speaker Julie Menin, Attorney General Letitia James, and our five borough chambers for helping ensure that small businesses have the tools they need to operate with confidence, protect their legacy, and continue serving as anchors of our communities."

"Retail theft hits the smallest shops the hardest. One bad week can wipe out a month of profits," said Jessica Walker, President & CEO of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. "This funding from Speaker Menin and Attorney General James gives store owners a practical tool to protect their employees and customers right now. We'll focus on the corridors and owners who have the least support today, and make sure every dollar is accounted for."

"Small businesses are woven into the fabric of what makes New York City the greatest city in the world. Combatting retail theft and protecting their ability to operate is essential to uplifting the incredible work they do," said Randy Peers, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. "This investment by the New York City Council and supported by the Attorney General provides much needed security infrastructure and serves as a lifeline to the small businesses who are in most in need of support. As we continue to promote all efforts to increase foot traffic and awareness of what our small businesses have to offer, we are committed to providing these resources to our small business community."

"We're deeply grateful for Speaker Menin's and Attorney General James' hard work to support the safety and security of our small business community, which is essential to Queens' long-term growth," said Tom Grech, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. "We're fully prepared to ensure our members receive these funds promptly and equitably, so they can focus on supporting their workers and communities instead of worrying about the financial fallout from a major theft."

"Bronx business owners shouldn't have to choose between keeping their doors open and feeling safe inside them," said Lisa Sorin, president of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. "This funding gives them a practical way to put security technology in place now, and we thank Speaker Menin and Attorney General James for backing the owners and employees who show up every day to keep our commercial corridors vibrant and strong."

"Small businesses should not have to choose between investing in their themselves and investing in their safety," said Linda Baran, President and CEO of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. "This funding will help put practical security tools within reach for businesses that may not otherwise be able to afford them. We appreciate Speaker Menin and Attorney General James for recognizing the challenges our small businesses face and providing support that can make an immediate difference."

The initiative comes in advance of the implementation of Local Law 120, which requires the Department of Small Business Services (SBS), or another agency designated by the Mayor, to establish a small retail business security system program. The permanent program will provide financial assistance to eligible small retail businesses to reduce the cost of purchasing and installing security system technology.

As SBS works to fully develop that program, the Council's $200,000 investment will serve as an immediate bridge to help businesses strengthen their security.

Eligible businesses will include ground-floor retail establishments with 50 or fewer employees, prioritizing small businesses located outside of Business Improvement Districts and in low- to moderate-income communities, as well as minority- and women-owned businesses, to ensure security resources reach underserved commercial corridors and businesses with the greatest need.

The Council will expand the scope of the Five Borough Chamber Alliance Initiative through its October Transparency Resolution to encompass the new funding. Each of the five borough chambers will receive an equal share of the allocation and will be required to report to the Council's Finance Division on the implementation of the program, including the criteria used to select participating businesses.

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