Crime Falls Overall in NYC - But Robberies Still Up 5%
NYC crime rate down 2% in 2024, as murders, shootings drop: NYPD
New York City saw a steep drop in murders and gun violence for the first half of 2024 compared to last year as police took an "historic" number of guns off the streets, NYPD officials said Wednesday.

Overall crime dropped 2% from the same period last year, officials said - though the number of reported rapes, robberies and assaults were up from January to June, according to the latest police department statistics.

As of June 30, murders in the city dropped by 17%, from 208 last year to 171, while the number of shooting incidents fell by 8%, from 482 to 441.

The drop in violence stemmed, in part, from the massive amount of firearms the NYPD has seized over the last year, Police Commissioner Edward Caban said.

By the end of June, there was a 6% drop in overall crime in the city's transit system, officlals said.

Yet, while murders and shootings were down, assaults and robberies remained up for the year, statistics showed. Felony assaults rose to 14,364 from 15,545 in the first half of 2023, while robberies increased to 8,211 from 7,828 (up 5%).

The drop in crime was coupled with a 14% jump in overall arrests, statistics show.

With the hottest - and sometimes the most violent - months ahead this summer, the NYPD plans to implement its "deployment zone" plan where the department floods high crime areas with police officers in order to tamp down crime.

Under this plan in 2023, New York saw a 28% drop in shootings and a 19% drop in murders in July and August, according to NYPD statistics. nydailynews.com


Progressives Continue to Walk Tightrope Over Theft Debate
Democrats reversed course on a plan to place a crime-focused initiative on the November ballot a day after announcing it

Fight over retail theft is testing California Democrats' drive to avoid mass incarceration policies
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and state leaders reversed course on a plan to place a crime-focused initiative on the November ballot a day after announcing it.

In a statement released Tuesday night, Newsom said there's not enough time for state leaders to work out final language before the Wednesday deadline. State leaders rolled out the proposed measure Sunday night after spending weeks unsuccessfully trying to negotiate a separate, more punitive proposal on the same subject off the ballot.

The unusual and abrupt move highlights state Democrats' difficult balancing act between tamping down voters' frustration on crimes and avoiding a return to mass incarceration policies - all while the Governor has his eyes set on political ambitions elsewhere.

The now-abandoned measure would have competed with the tougher-on-crime ballot initiative backed by a broad coalition of district attorneys, business groups and local officials. Both proposals would increase penalties for some drug charges and make shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders, but Democratic lawmakers' plan was narrower in scope and less punitive. They argued the district attorneys' proposal would return California to the the war on drugs and mass incarceration era.

Lawmakers will now return to their original plan of advancing a legislative package of bills to target auto thieves and professional reseller schemes, which they aim to deliver to Newsom by the end of the session in August. cbs42.com

   RELATED: Retail theft initiative backed by California governor scrapped


Shoplifting Hotspot Emerges in Santa Fe, NM
Shoplifting reports are up 33% from last year

Business and city leaders speak out on increase shoplifting
Santa Fe has seen a huge spike in shoplifting. Reports are up 33% from last year. Comparing the first month of this year to last year, there are 102 more shoplifting reports in 2024. Some businesses think that criminals may be shifting their targets from Albuquerque to the capital, while others think store owners are fed up and now report it more often.

"What we're hearing from our member companies, who and their asset protection officers, is that they're seeing a decrease in activity in Albuquerque," said Rob Black, the CEO and president of the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce. "And they're seeing an increase in both Santa Fe and with Salinas areas."

Black said this conjecture is informal and in its early stages. According to him, crime reporting has been historically, so they are working with the data they have. The Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce says they see an uptick in shoplifting as well, but can't say if thieves are moving from the Duke City into Santa Fe.

Santa Fe police said there's been more crime happening as temperatures rise and summer hours get busier. Sergeant Luke Wakefield thinks they are documenting it more.

"We've increased downtown security with not only police. And now that it's summer, our bicycle team," Mayor Webber said. "But also we've contracted for some outside additional security as the downtown tourist season increases. We want everybody to be safe." koat.com


America's Theft Hotspots
'It's unfortunate': Houston on list for most retail theft
The National Retail Federation says Houston is on the top five list for cities with significant organized retail crime: Los Angeles, San Francisco/Oakland, Houston, New York, and Seattle.

"But let's be honest retail crime is happening everywhere and we have to look at it from a whole nation approach," said David Johnston, Vice President of Asset Protection and Retail Operations for the National Retail Federation during a 2023 security survey call. "The retail industry continues to deal with unprecedented levels of crime, theft, and violence. These issues are touching and impacting retailers of all sizes, segments, and locations across the United States."

Houston police say they regularly work with businesses with loss prevention and help other companies when they're asked. click2houston.com


More States Have Dedicated ORC Agents
Montana Department of Justice hires first organized retail theft agent
Swiping the small things has become a big problem for Montana retailers. In fact, the Department of Justice recently hired a new position dedicated to tracking down criminals connected to multi-state theft rings.

Her name is Agent Sara Lubke, and Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen officially swore her in as the state's first-ever organized retail theft agent in April. Her role is tracking down thieves who go from store to store and city to city stealing and selling their loot online, often getting away with it with little consequence.

"Having someone with a statewide position is really advantageous because I can connect cases from here in Billings to other cities across Montana," said Lubke. ktvq.com
 

"Stolen Goods Must Remain Under $950." Street Sign Calling Out California's Retail Theft Goes Viral An unofficial street sign has been making viral rounds online that jokingly warns customers outside a Louis Vuitton in California that "Stolen Goods Must Remain Under $950." This sign is going viral in a climate of increased pushback against retail theft in the state and a voter ballot measure in November that would increase penalties for repeat shoplifters. msn.com

Walmart shoppers decry store receipt checks

Augusta Mall promises evaluation of security protocols in wake of 2nd shooting this year
 

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Oakland, CA: Mob ransacks Oakland convenience store, trashing what they can't carry; $100,000 loss
An Oakland gas station owner is reeling after a mob of about 70 people robbed and ransacked his California convenience store, causing about $100,000 in losses. No arrests had been made as of Sunday. The incident took place early Friday amid a large auto sideshow in front of the gas station near Oakland International Airport. The store was open for window service only, its owner told KRON-TV. A group of people drove a car into the glass door at about 4:30 a.m. Friday, threatened two employees who were inside, and began running rampant, owner Sam Mardaie, told news outlets. Though the employees called 911 after running outside for safety, it took police hours to respond, Mardaie said. "They got away with it," owner Sam Mardaie told KNTV-TV of the marauders. "They were here for 40 minutes. You could tear a whole city down in 40 minutes. Every time I think about it, the more it hurts."  foxnews.com


Newark, DE: Man accused of stealing $40,000 worth of merchandise in organized retail theft scheme
A Newark man is behind bars, accused of orchestrating an organized retail theft scheme that stole more than $40,000 worth of merchandise from stores around New Castle County. Delaware State Police said Moses Warren, 33, is responsible for at least 18 incidents of shoplifting from late May through the end of June. He is accused of stealing eyewear, cigarettes and various household goods from stores including Giant, Rite Aid, Royal Farms, Kohl's, Sunglass Hut at Macy's, Walgreens and Wawa. Police identified Warren as a suspect and obtained arrest warrants for him but were unable to find him until June 30, when Warren and two accomplices shoplifted from the Kohl's on Rocky Run Boulevard north of Wilmington, authorities said.  newarkpostonline.com


Fresno, CA: Fresno Police Arrest Suspects in Organized Retail Theft of Tools from Harbor Freight in Fresno and Clovis
Fresno Police report that Central ORT detectives have been investigating thefts from Harbor Freight. Recently, officers from Northeast and Northwest DST units conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle believed to be related to the thefts. Officers contacted the driver and his passenger. The driver was found to have an active warrant and was arrested and booked into the Fresno County Jail. During a vehicle search, officers located approximately $3,000 worth of stolen Icon tools from Harbor Freight. Stickers on the tools came back to stores in Central Fresno and Clovis. This investigation is ongoing. If you have any information on retail theft operations, please contact Crime Stoppers (559) 498-STOP.  goldrushcam.com


Atlanta, GA: 2 women went on a $8,000 shopping spree at Mall of Georgia

Phoenix, AZ: Man accused of Valley-wide theft spree at Target; totaling over $2000

Summerville, SC: Two Detained in $1,300 Theft from Summerville Walmart Parking Lot

Montgomery Township, PA: Philadelphia couple charged with stealing $700 in acid reflux medication from grocery store