We want to be workers, not warriors

My stores and the workers who make a living there are supposed to serve a single purpose: help our communities and ensure they have fresh food, groceries and produce. 

We strive to make the shopping experience not just easy but pleasant, peaceful and nice.

These are the same essential workers who kept New York City alive during the worst of the pandemic. 

But imagine you are a worker at a supermarket. You just want to do your job and come home.

You did not sign up for anything more, and the last thing our workers want to be is the front lines of public safety, but all too often, they are finding themselves doing just that. 

Security focus 

The videos from the Collective Action to Protect Our Stores coalition — of which I am a member — show how often retail theft can turn violent. Some retail workers have been attacked, beaten or threatened.

This is terrifying for them — and oftentimes workers feel like they always have to look over their shoulder whenever there is an issue in the stores. 

Yet the last thing we want is our workers being harmed while they are just trying to do their jobs, which is why many stores — even ones with tight margins — have invested in their own security.

This security is meant to protect our stores, our workers and our customers. 

Retail workers are not trained in self-defense, and we should not be forced to turn our workers into warriors. 

Among the many things stores have done is include more security cameras that cover blind spots in our stores, so we can both see if someone is stealing but also if one of our workers is in danger.

Many stores have hired additional personnel to keep a physical eye on the stores. 

We have been forced to place behind counters high-valued at-risk items that are constantly being stolen.

And many stores have been forced to hire security guards who are trained for these types of situations. 

We don’t want to turn our stores into places in need of more security. 

We don’t want to inconvenience shoppers by having them ask for items that are kept under lock and key. 

And of course we don’t want to be forced to spend money that could be invested into the stores in more security, but for too many stores, the amount of violent action taken against our workers necessitates it. 

Tougher penalties 

We greatly appreciate the work the New York City Police Department does to keep us safe, and we know Mayor Adams takes retail theft seriously.

Their report on retail theft had good suggestions that will make our stores safer. 

But the sad truth is too many workers have been attacked, too many stores have been robbed, and too many customers have been placed in danger, which is why we need the state to step up with tougher penalties for recidivist shoplifters and those who attack retail workers. 

Albany legislators have a chance to get this right, and with a few days left in session, there is no time left to spare. 

Nallely De Jesus is the owner of Associated Supermarkets in The Bronx.