Leandra Feliz announces support for ‘Junior’s Law’ to protect kids in danger

The mother of Lesandro ‘Junior’ Guzman-Feliz stood on the steps of City Hall Wednesday to declare her support for Junior's Law, saying it can protect kids in the future.
The bill would create a pilot program reimbursing small businesses for the cost of installing a panic button system that would notify police in the case of emergencies.
Junior was 15 when he was dragged from a bodega in Belmont and stabbed to death by the Trinitarios gang in June 2018.
"My son is already passed. They killed my son. But now, we have to protect our future kids," says Leandra Feliz.
The proposed law is being sponsored by 31 City Council members.
Councilman Mark Gjonaj says the reimbursable panic buttons should cost small business owners anywhere from $600 to $1,000. The bill does not cover costs for other security measures, like surveillance cameras and locks.
The bodega where Junior was killed became the first “Safe Haven” bodega to implement those types of improvements in January at a cost of $4,000.
Only certain bodegas will be chosen for the yearlong pilot program. The pilot district will be determined by a number of factors, including area crime rates.After its completion, a decision will be made as to whether the program becomes permanent and if it expands.