Corner Stores Could Get Federal Grants for Security Upgrades Under New BODEGA Act

The "Bodega Owner Defense Enhancement Grant Assistance Act of 2025," or BODEGA Act, proposes a change to how certain federal grant money can be spent. Specifically, it amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (Section 501) to allow funds from existing grant programs under that law to be used for installing panic buttons and surveillance equipment within private businesses. The bill explicitly targets grocery stores falling under the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code 445131 – the category that typically includes the small neighborhood grocery stores often called bodegas.

Security on the Shopping List

So, what does this actually mean on the ground? Instead of just funding traditional law enforcement or public safety initiatives, this bill would let eligible grant recipients use the money for specific security hardware inside their stores. Think cameras overlooking the aisles or a discreet panic button behind the counter that could alert authorities during an emergency. For a small shop owner potentially dealing with theft or safety concerns, this could open a door to accessing funds for security upgrades they might not otherwise afford. The core change here, outlined in Section 2, isn't creating a new pot of money, but rather expanding the approved uses for existing federal crime control grants.

Reading Between the Lines

It's important to note what the BODEGA Act doesn't detail. The text amends the allowable uses for grants under the 1968 Act but doesn't establish new funding amounts, spell out the specific application process, or define the criteria for which businesses would receive these funds. Those details likely reside within the administrative rules of the existing grant programs governed by the Omnibus Crime Control Act. While the goal is clearly to enhance safety for these small businesses and their customers, the practical impact will depend heavily on how these existing grant programs are managed and how much funding is actually available and allocated for this specific purpose. The effectiveness of panic buttons and cameras as deterrents versus simply recording incidents is also a factor, alongside potential privacy considerations that come with increased surveillance.