Panic Alarm Buttons Debut in NYC/NJ Retail Stores Amid Bodega Crimes

nrs solution to crime (Courtesy of YouTube)
New Panic Button Alarm features from NRS among others, allow workers to simply hold the button for a designated number of seconds, opening the register and triggering a silent alarm that inconspicuously alerts the police and adds a much-needed level of security for cashier and front desk workers. (Courtesy of YouTube)

In response to rising convenience store-related crimes throughout the nation, National Retail Solutions (NRS), the operator of a leading USA point of sale (POS) network and payment processing service for independent retailers, has intensified its positioning on the need for improved worker safety and security measures.

NRS has unveiled its patented NRS POS Panic Alarm Button feature for all New York and Jersey retailers, including independent grocery, convenience stores, and bodegas, as a complementary point of sale add-on for all NRS customers, free for one full year.

NRS panic button
The NRS Panic Button Feature will allow workers to simply hold the button for a designated number of seconds while opening the register and simultaneously triggering a silent alarm that alerts the police.

This new pilot program will begin in New York and New Jersey and is scheduled to expand throughout the United States in later 2022 and 2023.

This Premium add-on theft deterrent feature alerts police for help with the touch of a silent button which is secretly, craftily located among the feature buttons on the POS merchant touch screen.

This new feature allows workers to simply hold the button for a designated number of seconds, opening the register and triggering a silent alarm that inconspicuously alerts the police and adds a much-needed level of security for cashier and front desk workers.

(See for yourself how a wave of crime is targeting corner stores and delis across the five boroughs, threatening a crucial part of New York City’s fabric. Courtesy of FOX 5 New York and YouTube. Posted on May 11, 2022.)

NRS is a leading provider of intuitive point-of-sale (POS) systems, custom-built for independent retailers across the USA, and the NRS POS network spans over 18,000 stores nationwide.

Ranked #1 POS for Small and Midsized Businesses by Information Age Magazine[1], the NRS POS system is a powerful retail ecosystem that helps small business owners organize their stores, attract customers, and increase revenue.

nrs
This new feature allows workers to simply hold the button for a designated number of seconds, opening the register and triggering a silent alarm that inconspicuously alerts the police and adds a much-needed level of security for cashier and front desk workers.

The new NRS POS Panic Alarm is the latest feature in the state-of-the-art technology of the NRS Point of Sale system, which includes a variety of hardware and software features that help small business owners be more efficient, including:

  • In-store items: The In-Store Items section of the POS interface gives complete control over your items for sale.

  • UPC catalog: POS price book comes with thousands of UPCs from popular brands and items to help save time. Save time adding chips, drinks, and other sides already in the catalog.

  • One-click items: With the One-Click Items section of POS, easily assign popular items to custom buttons. Give each menu items a button to create an order in fewer presses and scans.

NRS
In the online, remote-management merchant portal, you can upload your own ads to run on your customer-facing screen
  • Convenient barcode scanner: Every POS bundle includes a barcode scanner to improve checkout speed. Since the NRS POS works with custom barcodes, create stickers at the touch of a button and scan them. Adding barcodes gives more options for speeding up sales.

  • User-friendly touch screen: touch screen interface makes it easy for tech users of all skill levels to use POS. The interface has large, easy-to-read buttons on a screen built for visibility and comfort. Colors can be customized for an enhanced merchant experience.

  • Run your own customer-facing ads: In the online, remote-management merchant portal, you can upload your own ads to run on your customer-facing screen.

  • Build and easily set up your own promotions, and manage them on your POS.

  • Remote store management via merchant app + web portal. Manage your store from anywhere, and access reports, 24/7.

NRS
Courtesy of NRS

As bodega, convenience store, and small supermarket crimes skyrocketed throughout NYC amid the pandemic, small store owners immediately looked to panic buttons as a security solution, urging the city to pass a bill to reimburse for panic buttons[2].

Under the bill, the City of New York would reimburse small businesses for installing panic buttons, which workers could use in emergency situations to alert law enforcement.

Named “Junior’s Law” in honor of 15-year-old “Junior” Guzman Feliz, who, in 2018, was dragged out of a bodega in the Bronx and stabbed to death, the proposed measure never passed.

Junior’s mother said a bodega panic button may have saved his life.

(Justice for Junior case: PIX11 reviewed more than a dozen surveillance videos, including a heartbreaking scene that shows the mortally wounded teen, with a lethal stab wound in his neck, walking slowly across Third Avenue at East 183rd Street toward St. Barnabas Hospital. Courtesy of PIX11 News and YouTube. Posted on Sep 20, 2018.)

Now, as violent crimes and robberies continue to plague bodegas and other small businesses, NRS hopes to offer store owners and workers the solution they deserve.

NRS understands the needs of urban-based small businesses, and their customers’ success and safety are always the number one focus.

“We strive to present the most innovative technologies to help protect the safety and well-being of our retailers, their staff, and store patrons,” explains Elie Y. Katz, founder, and CEO of National Retail Solutions (NRS).

Elie Y Katz, President & CEO of National Retail Solutions (NRS)
Elie Y Katz, President & CEO of National Retail Solutions

“The uptick in crimes at bodegas in New York and New Jersey is unacceptable, and we at NRS cannot sit back while our customers are expected to put themselves in harm’s way at work without adequate safety measures.”

“We are proud to offer New York and Jersey retailers our patented NRS POS Panic Alarm for free for one year with our NRS POS system.”

“NRS hopes that small independent convenience stores and bodega owners take advantage of this free one-year trial.”

“The NRS Panic Button feature is now available in New York and New Jersey, to provide the ultimate solution for workers with the extra layer of protection they deserve. It’s our priority to become part of the solution to workers’ safety,” Katz emphasizes.

The NRS patented Panic Alarm Button is a subscription Premium Feature for the NRS POS. For details, visit nrsplus.com/panicalarm or call 833-289-2767.

Related Technologies…

Singlewire Software Returns to Compete in 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program

InformaCast Mobile Panic Button from Singlewire Software, offers personalized protection, along with the ability to quickly and easily trigger mass notifications sent as SMS text, push notifications, emails and audio messages to reach as many people as possible, as fast as possible.
InformaCast Mobile Panic Button from Singlewire Software, offers personalized protection, along with the ability to quickly and easily trigger mass notifications sent as SMS text, push notifications, emails, and audio messages to reach as many people as possible, as fast as possible.

American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now in its Seventh Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.

Singlewire Software, a Multi-Award Winner in the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program, is pleased to announce the InformaCast Mobile Panic Button is one of Three Products Nominated to compete in the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.

The InformaCast Mobile Panic Button is the latest addition to the InformaCast Mobile app, giving organizations an easy way to provide personalized protection for all their people.

Informacast panic button alerting is perfect for classrooms, businesses, and anywhere else where a timely mass emergency notification is needed

(See how InformaCast’s mobile panic button allows users to get quick and discreet help when an emergency rises. Once a mobile panic button is pressed, it notifies the proper authorities and opens a tracking event so that the administrators can pinpoint the exact location of the emergency and get help to the user who pressed the panic button promptly. Courtesy of Singlewire Software and YouTube.)

End users that download the InformaCast app will have access to a mobile panic button they can activate if they find themselves on their own in a dangerous situation.

Once the button has been pressed, the app will provide the user with instructions on what they should do to remain safe as well as offer the ability to connect directly with the security team via a phone call to receive further assistance.

InformaCast sends a notification to the security team with information about who pressed the button and where they are located on a map. Even if the user moves, the security team will be able to track their new location.

The security team also has the ability to send follow messages or connect directly with the sender.

Knowing users’ locations during an emergency can aid in assisting them to safety.

(Mass communication is often thought of as an excellent solution for emergency notification, and it certainly is. But InformaCast Mass Communication Software offers much more value than just emergency notification. It is a communication tool that can be customized to individual user’s needs. This flexibility makes it easy for InformaCast to be utilized by people across your organization for day-to-day operations, unique communication needs and, of course, emergencies. By utilizing InformaCast as an organization-wide communication tool, you save money by consolidating tools from different departments into a single solution. It can also save you time by limiting maintenance efforts to just one solution. Courtesy of Singlewire Software and YouTube.)

First responders will know where to send assistance, how many people are involved, and what kind of situation they’re walking into. This functionality can be used on college and university campuses for students walking home alone at night, in manufacturing for lone workers, and in federal and healthcare industries that might have workers walking alone to their cars late at night.

The mobile panic button is just one of the many useful features available within the InformaCast app that makes triggering notifications and managing incidents easy no matter where a person is. It offers flexibility to not be tied to a computer desktop to send alerts and handles a situation as it unfolds.

InformaCast messaging can all be automated and configured ahead of an incident to when a crisis occurs no time is wasted creating messages during stressful situations.
InformaCast messaging can all be automated and configured ahead of an incident to when a crisis occurs no time is wasted creating messages during stressful situations.

All of an organizations messages and analytics can be accessed from the app so InformaCast users can launch notifications directly from their mobile device.

With the InformaCast Command Center feature, organizations can pre-build buttons for common emergency scenarios to quickly access notifications and provide detailed information, like the location of the incident or a description of an intruder.

Flexible message templates mean organizations can create notifications for any kind of situation they are likely to encounter, from active shooters and severe weather to network outages and medical events.

Messages can be sent in multiple formats including SMS text messages, push notifications, emails, and audio messages, and the more formats used the more likely it is that someone sees the message quickly and takes appropriate action.

Notifications can also be sent with the option for recipients to respond to the message, which gives system administrators and safety team members real-time insight into ongoing incidents.

For example, if an organization issues a lockdown notification, a follow-up message can be sent to see if people are safe or need assistance.

Streamline the emergency notification process with an easy-to-use web interface for quickly creating and sending a mass notification.

Responses can be viewed directly within the mobile app to see how effective the initial notification was and to determine who needs help. Dynamic replies can also be used to provide more specific instructions in follow-up messages depending on a person’s response.

Should someone reply that they are safe, they can receive a follow-up notification saying that they should remain where they are until they receive an “all clear” message.

Meanwhile, those that reply that they need assistance can receive a follow-up message letting them know help is on the way. This can all be automated and configured ahead of an incident to when a crisis occurs no time is wasted creating messages during stressful situations.

Additionally, InformaCast Mobile also offers geofencing capabilities to alert everyone within a certain area and even trigger alerts when users enter or leave a designated location.

During the September 11th attacks, leaders from a US Federal agency tried — and failed — to evacuate people from their facility.

They contacted Singlewire Software requesting a solution that would be easy to use, could manage 250 separate paging zones, and wouldn’t bring the phone system down. InformaCast was the answer.

That agency became the company’s first client and is still a client today.

Whether someone is in your building or remote, you can make sure you reach as close to 100 percent of your intended audience as possible with notifications to on-premises and mobile devices.

Many of the same engineers who created InformaCast mass notification software still work on their development team, and over the years, they’ve evolved InformaCast into powerful solutions for emergency mass notification, bi-directional mobile alerting, situational awareness, and workplace optimization.

When you invest in InformaCast notification software solutions, you protect your most important asset — your people.

singlewire software

To Learn More about Singlewire Software Solutions, an industry leader in mass notification and emergency preparedness systems, recognized for Four Consecutive Years to date in the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program, please visit www.singlewire.com.

  • *Singlewire Software was also recognized with Multiple Awards in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards, as well as Awards in the 2019, and 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program.

2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon (starting front row, left to right) SIMS Software President & CEO Michael Struttmann; TENEO Risk Advisory Executive Chairman Commissioner Bill Bratton; NEC National Security Systems President Dr. Kathleen Kiernan; TSA Administrator David Pekoske; Fortior Solutions General Counsel Katherine Cowan; NEC Corporation of America Senior Vice President & Chief Experience Officer Raffie Beroukhim; TENEO Risk Advisory Chief of Staff David Cagno; Infragard National Board Member Doug Farber, Lumina Analytics Co-Founder & Chairman Allan Martin, and AMAROK Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing Mike Dorrington.
2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon (starting front row, left to right) SIMS Software President & CEO Michael Struttmann; TENEO Risk Advisory Executive Chairman Commissioner Bill Bratton; NEC National Security Systems President Dr. Kathleen Kiernan; TSA Administrator David Pekoske; Fortior Solutions General Counsel Katherine Cowan; NEC Corporation of America Senior Vice President & Chief Experience Officer Raffie Beroukhim; TENEO Risk Advisory Chief of Staff David Cagno; Infragard National Board Member Doug Farber, Lumina Analytics Co-Founder & Chairman Allan Martin, and AMAROK Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing Mike Dorrington.

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards highlight the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.

Thomas Richardson, FDNY Chief of Department; Dr. Kathleen Kiernan, President of NEC National Security Systems; and Richard Blatus, FDNY Assistant Chief of Operations at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon at ISC East.

AST Honors Thomas Richardson, FDNY Chief of Department; Dr. Kathleen Kiernan, President of NEC National Security Systems; and Richard Blatus, FDNY Assistant Chief of Operations, at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon at ISC East.

The United States was forever changed 20 years ago on September 11th, and we were fortunate to have many of those who responded to those horrific tragedies join us at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon.

In the days that followed 9/11, the critical needs of protecting our country catapulted us into new and innovative ways to secure our homeland – which is how many of the agencies and enterprise organizations that are today ‘ASTORS’ Awards Champions, came into being.

Our keynote speaker TSA Administrator David Pekoske delivered a moving and timely address on the strategic priorities of the 64,000 member TSA workforce in securing the transportation system, enabling safe, and in many cases, contactless travel, and more (Be sure to see Interview.)
TSA Administrator David Pekoske addressing attendees at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon in New York City on November 17, 2021. (Be sure to see AST Exclusive Interview, facilitated by Dr. Kathleen Kiernan HERE.)

Our 2021 keynote speaker featured a moving and informative address from TSA Administrator and Vice-Admiral of the United States Coast Guard (Ret), David Pekoske; to our attendees who traveled from across the United States and abroad, on the strategic priorities of the 64,000 member TSA workforce in securing the transportation system, enabling safe, and in many cases, contactless travel.

Commissioner Bill Bratton signing copies of his latest work, ‘The Profession: A Memoir of Community, Race, and the Arc of Policing in America,’ at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon. (Be sure to see AST Exclusive Interview with Comm Bratton, facilitated by Dr. Kathleen Kiernan HERE.)

Legendary Police Commissioner William Bratton of the New York Police Department, the Boston Police Department, and former Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department was also live at the event, meeting with attendees and signing copies of his latest work ‘The Profession: A Memoir of Community, Race, and the Arc of Policing in America,’ courtesy of the generosity of our 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Premier Sponsors.

The 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is Proudly Sponsored by New PLATINUM SPONSOR: NEC National Security Systems (NSS), New Premier Sponsors Rajant Corporation, and guardDog AI, and returning Sponsors ATI Systems, Automatic Systems, RX Global, and SIMS Software!

The continually evolving ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program will emphasize the trail of Accomplished Women in Leadership in 2022, as well as the Significance and Positive Impact of Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in our Next Generation of Government and Industry Leaders. #MentorshipMatters

So be on the lookout for exciting upcoming announcements of Speakers, Presenters, Book Signing Opportunities, and Attendees at the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon in November of 2022 in New York City!

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.

Comprehensive List of Categories Include:

Access Control/ Identification Personal/Protective Equipment Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism
Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System Interagency Interdiction Operation Cloud Computing/Storage Solution
Facial/IRIS Recognition Body Worn Video Product Cyber Security
Video Surveillance/VMS Mobile Technology Anti-Malware
Audio Analytics Disaster Preparedness ID Management
Thermal/Infrared Camera Mass Notification System Fire & Safety
Metal/Weapon Detection Rescue Operations Critical Infrastructure
License Plate Recognition Detection Products COVID Innovations
Workforce Management Government Security Programs And Many Others to Choose From!

Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?

Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

Team TSA
Honoring the 20th anniversary of the Transportation Security Administration (Team TSA at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon.)

In 2021 over 200 distinguished guests representing Federal, State, and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms gathered from across North America, Europe, and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included:

Register for the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Luncheon Today

In a typical year, DEAC Sabatino oversees the facilitation of legitimate travel for more than 410 million travelers in the air, land, and maritime environments.
Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner (DEAC) Diane J. Sabatino of the Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

American Security Today is delighted to announce, that Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner (DEAC) Diane J. Sabatino of the Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), will be the opening keynote speaker at the much-anticipated 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon, on Wednesday, November 16th, 2022.

American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now in its Seventh Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.

To take advantage of this exclusive luncheon opportunity to invite your team, guests, clients, and show visitors to a gourmet, affordable, plated meal event in the heart of New York City, for a fabulous networking opportunity!

Go to https://americansecuritytoday.com/product/awards-luncheon/ to secure your seat or reserve a table. ***Limited space available so Register Today. There will be no on-site registrations.

The 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program surpassed expectations with a record number of nominations received from industry leaders and government agencies, and drew over 200 attendees to the ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Banquet – an exclusive gourmet luncheon and networking opportunity which filled to capacity, before having to turn away late registrants.

Your ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon registration includes complimentary attendee access to ISC East where you can meet the world’s most innovative suppliers and cyber experts, immerse yourself in hands-on tech and learn from world-renowned speakers and thought-leaders.

Why American Security Today?

The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast-changing security landscape.

American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State, and local levels of government as well as firms allied to the government.

American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers’ eyes throughout the story with cutting-edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.

Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications

AST puts forward the Largest and Most Qualified Circulation in Government with Over 75,000 readers on the Federal, State and Local levels.
AST puts forward the Largest and Most Qualified Circulation in Government with Over 75,000 readers on the Federal, State and Local levels.

AST Digital Publications are distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals, in federal, state, local, and private security sectors.

‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’

AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.

Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture, and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.

American Security Today

These experts are from Government at the federal, state, and local level as well as from private firms allied to the government.

AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website, and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.

AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.

Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to a large number of persons and resources clustered together.

(See just a few highlights of American Security Today’s 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East. Courtesy of My Pristine Images and Vimeo.)

To learn more about ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, please see the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2021 ‘A Year in Review’.

The CHAMPIONS edition includes a review of Annual ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firm’s products and services, including video interviews and more.

It serves as your Go-To Source throughout the year for The Best of 2021 Products and Services endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and/or organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.

From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection, and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware, and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION has what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.

It also includes featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.

  • For a complete list of 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners, begin HERE.

For more information on All Things American Security Today, as well as the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:

  • Provides named sources
  • Reported by more than one notable outlet
  • Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos

Subscribe to the AST Daily News Alert Here.

Learn More… 

InformaCast Mobile Panic Button Nominated in 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards