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Major retailers and law enforcement officials are urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to veto legislation mandating “panic buttons” in large New York stores, aimed at alerting police to retail crime.
Known as the Retail Worker Safety Act, the bill passed by the state Legislature mandates that retailers like Walmart and Target install panic buttons or provide mobile-phone-activated alert systems for employees in stores with over 500 employees nationwide.
Supporters of the legislation argue it responds to increasing threats faced by retail workers from thefts and violence. However, industry lobbyists, including the National Retail Federation and the Food Industry Alliance of New York State, oppose the measure, citing concerns over its cost-effectiveness in combating crime.
Walmart’s executive vice president, Dan Bartlett, expressed skepticism about the panic button’s efficacy, noting that false alarms could overwhelm law enforcement resources.
The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, representing over 100,000 workers, supports the bill, asserting it will enhance workplace safety by providing training in violence prevention and de-escalation tactics.
Gov. Hochul, who previously signed legislation for panic alarms in schools, has pledged to address rising retail theft but faces mounting pressure regarding the proposed retail safety measures.
