Bodega owners across the city demanding the New York City Police Department keep them safe.

They claim a new policy leaves them vulnerable to potential criminals.

"It basically tells anyone who wants to commit a low-level crime in our stores that they can get away with it," explained Fernandez Mateo, of the United Bodegas of America.

The NYPD policy would limit police car chases to violent crimes and felonies - and focus less on misdemeanors offenses.

Police officials say the goal of the measure is to reduce the risks of collisions and injuries to police officers and the public during police chases.

However, local store owners say the new policy sends the wrong message and could lead to serious problems inside their stores.

"We need to stop it at the lower level, not at the higher level. At that point, it's too late," added Mateo.