Bodega Fest 2024 at Poe Park celebrates small businesses, shines spotlight on safety
President of United Bodegas of America Radhames Rodriguez told News 12 police are doing their job but thinks there needs to be harsher punishments given in court.
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Bodega Fest 2024 was held Sunday at Poe Park in near Fordham University following two violent incidents this past week at Bronx bodegas.
On June 19, a bodega worker was shot in Fordham on Webster Avenue and East 183rd Street. The victim was rushed to the hospital in serious, but stable condition.
On June 21, authorities say they responded to the corner of East 169th Street and College Avenue to 60 Deli TO around 11:15 p.m. and discovered a bodega owner suffering from stab wounds to the chest. He was hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
No arrests have been made.
President of United Bodegas of America Radhames Rodriguez told News 12 police are doing their job but thinks there needs to be harsher punishments given in court.
"I think we need more of a penalty when somebody commits a crime,” Rodriguez said.
Bodega worker Graciela Ledesma told News 12 she feels safe despite these incidents. She is happy with the work United Bodega of America has done.
“I feel safe because things happen. You know, there are things they cannot avoid, but they are doing everything possible to avoid any events,” she said.
Fordham 15th Council District Rep. Oswald Feliz said he wants to take preventative measures so violent incidents like these recent ones do not happen again.
“Making sure that, number one, bodega owners have access to resources that will help deter crime. At the same time, they're usually asking for a higher police presence. I think we need to listen to them,” Feliz said.
He went on to say there needs to be resources in place in the community so disputes do not end in criminal incidents.
