Honestly, this is pretty much the definition of futile. Look at how Mayor Adams worded this, and it comes out looking even worse than a 911 call. You can hit the button "immediately," and I'll concede it has the advantage of not having to visibly pick up a phone. Like a silent alarm button, it can presumably be placed somewhere where it can be activated surreptitiously. But when it's activated, if you've gone through the correct implied process to give the police access to your store cameras - and if you have store cameras - then you get to wait for officers to bring up the camera feed on a monitor, to take a look at what's going on, and then to decide what (if any) response is warranted.

I've got a better idea, Mayor Adams: Stop making it virtually impossible for the law-abiding residents of New York City to arm themselves for their own protection and the protection of their property. Make being a robber or looter a dangerous business. An armed man can face down a thug; an unarmed man can only be a victim. At least give them a chance to resist; right now, they have none, and this panic button boondoggle just drips impotence. No thug will be afraid of being caught by a panic button. //

One of my personal heroes, Colonel Jeff Cooper, once famously said:

If violent crime is to be curbed, it is only the intended victim who can do it. The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge nor jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim.