'Historic' Retail Theft Bills Pass in California
California Legislature Passes Historic Bundle of Retail Theft Bills
A total of 10 mostly bipartisan proposals addressing retail theft and property-related offenses passed through the state Assembly and Senate on Thursday, receiving final votes on Monday. By the end of the day, they were sent to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk for final sign-off.

The package of legislation orbits around the California Retail Theft Reduction Act (AB 2943), which was introduced in February by select committee on retail theft chair and Assemblymember Rick Zbur (D-L.A.).

One of the most multi-faceted proposals to come out of the State Assembly this year, the law solidifies a new crime classification for possessing stolen merchandise worth over $950 with the intent to resell, carrying a prison sentence of up to three years. Evidence may include repeat offenses or the possession of large volumes of stolen property. The law also stipulates that the value of thefts from different retailers can be tallied up and prosecuted as grand theft-a felony charge.

AB 2943 foists some responsibility onto online marketplaces, as sellers would be required to maintain records proving their products were obtained legally. Larger retail businesses would also be required to provide data to law enforcement to help strengthen crime laws and prevent stolen stuff from being sold on the web.

The bill package, which operates under the header of "Californians Against Retail Theft," also includes AB 1779, which allows California district attorneys to prosecute theft cases across multiple jurisdictions at once, AB 1802, which removes the sunset provision for the state's organized retail crime statute, making a statewide California Highway Patrol (CHP) criminal task force permanent, and AB 1972, which expands that CHP task force to include cargo theft.

Passed in the State Senate on Monday was SB 1144, which would require online marketplaces to establish and maintain policies for prohibiting the sale of stolen goods. Meanwhile, SB 1242 imposes longer sentences on individuals convicted of setting reckless fire to a retailer's property in order to commit organized retail crime, and SB 1416 beefs up sentences for those convicted of selling, exchanging or returning stolen goods. SB 982 eliminates the statute of limitations for prosecuting organized retail theft.

The lawmakers behind the bundle of bills have been chomping at the bit to get the proposals passed as a means of thwarting the advancement of a ballot initiative that would imperil one of the state's most controversial laws: Prop. 47. But despite the crime reduction proposals' rapid advancement in recent days, Prop. 36, the Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act, is still headed to the polls. yahoo.com

   RELATED: California lawmakers send Newsom organized retail theft bills


Ex-LP Manager Files $20M Lawsuit Against Safeway
The former LP manager says was fired for giving food to officers conducting a shoplifting operation

Former supermarket manager sues chain for $20M, claiming he was terminated for giving food to SFPD cops

Oscar Santos Jr. has filed a lawsuit against Safeway, arguing that a new manager fired him for giving food to officers conducting a shoplifting operation

A former Safeway loss-prevention manager has filed a $20 million lawsuit against the supermarket chain, alleging wrongful termination after giving deli sandwiches and fried chicken to police officers conducting shoplifting stings, the San Francisco Standard reported.

Oscar Santos Jr., 33, claims he was falsely accused of violating company policies after another employee reported that he took food from the deli counter in late 2023, according to the report. Santos maintains that the food was provided to police officers with the store management's approval as a thank-you gesture for their assistance with shoplifting operations.

Santos, who managed organized retail crime investigations from Fresno to the Oregon border, stated that this practice was customary and approved by his previous supervisor. However, after the supervisor's death, a new director questioned him about the practice and subsequently suspended him, according to the report.

Santos received a termination letter a few weeks later, citing violations of company policy. He argues that the accusations were unfounded, stating that he was never accused of stealing the food but rather of giving it away without proper documentation.

A law enforcement official who worked with Santos confirmed that he occasionally provided food to officers, describing it as "a nice gesture." Attorney Neil Eisenberg, representing Santos, claims that Safeway used the sandwich issue as a pretext to terminate him and other high-paid employees, replacing them with lower-paid workers, according to the report.  police1.com


Cities Making Progress in Bringing Down Crime
Stats show violent crime down in Portland since 2022
Compared to the same point at this time last year, violent crime is down in Portland, the Department of Justice said. In the first six months of 2023, there were 41 homicides in Portland. This year, 34 - and of those, 25 are gun-related deaths.

Elizabeth Perez, the Chief of Staff to Mike Myers, the Deputy City Administrator, said a big success the office has had is prevention and intervention, but she noted enforcement and communication both need to be improved.

Statistics provided to KOIN 6 News by the Portland Police Bureau shows the number of shootings has definitely dropped in the city since 2022, when 826 shootings were recorded by early August. So far this year, 522 shootings have been recorded.

The DOJ statistics reveal violent crime in most of the cities in the US and Canada is down year-to-year. koin.com


In Case You Missed It
Violent crime in US cities drops by 6% in first half of year compared with 2023
The preliminary data, collected from 69 major US cities and published by the Major Cities Chiefs Association, shows that overall, violent crime dropped during the first six months of 2024 compared with the same period in 2023. Homicides fell by 17%, according to an analysis by Axios.

Those numbers arrive as polls show that reducing crime is a top priority for many American voters. And as the 2024 election nears, a drop in violent crime undermines a frequent Republican talking point that higher crime plagues cities run by their Democratic opponents.  theguardian.com


Have you ever shoplifted? It's more common than you may think

Video: Why do people shoplift?
 

Stream the Season 1 Finale Now!

'Retail Crime Uncovered' Podcast Presented by Sekura Global

It's incredible to think that we are 20 episodes into the Retail Crime Uncovered podcast, and wow, what a journey! In this special season finale, Emmeline revisits the best of the interviews and maps out the key learnings from industry experts, police and, of course, offenders themselves. From ORC to tagging, self-service to guarding, this episode is jam packed with the latest thought leadership and innovative practice. If there is one place to go for a roundup of LP / AP news and developments over the last 12 months, you've got it right here!

The fascinating podcast hosted by Emmeline Taylor, Professor of Criminology supported by Sekura Global. Retail theft insights from leading crime and loss experts, shop staff and policing bodies. Hard-hitting interviews with ex-offenders and retail criminals.
 

Stream All Episodes Here

Gaithersburg, MD: Thieves hit Dick's, Lululemon in Gaithersburg; officer struck during getaway
Three thieves are on the loose after a shoplifting spree in Gaithersburg ended with a police officer hurt. Police received a call for a felony theft at the Dick's Sporting Goods on Grand Corner Avenue in the popular Rio shopping center around 4:50 p.m. on Monday. Witnesses said two women ran into the store, stole thousands of dollars in clothing, and jumped into a getaway car waiting outside - a silver sedan. As police were responding, another call came in for a felony theft at the Lululemon apparel store across the street at Downtown Crown with the same suspect's description. Police went to catch them and that's when the male driver of the getaway car hit one of the officers in the leg before taking off. The officer was taken to the hospital where he was treated and is now recovering at home.   fox5dc.com


San Bernardino, CA: 36 arrested, $25K in stolen merch recovered in Southern California raid
In a targeted crime suppression operation dubbed "Smash & Grab," law enforcement agencies in San Bernardino recovered more than $25,000 worth of stolen retail merchandise and arrested 36 people, authorities announced Monday. The operation, which ran between the weeks of July 26 and Aug. 8, focused on areas where authorities with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said there had been a rise in retail theft, including stores in Rancho Cucamonga, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville and Chino Hills. According to a news release from SBSD, these crimes "often involved organized crews that conspire to commit robberies, burglaries, shelve sweeps and vandalism." "These violent criminals terrorize the citizens of San Bernardino County by utilizing intimidation tactics and a mob mentality that creates an unsafe and uncomfortable shopping environment for our residents," the release stated. In addition to SBSD and its gang and narcotics division, the San Bernardino Police Department, San Bernardino County Probation Department, Homeland Security Investigations and California Highway Patrol assisted in operation Smash & Grab.  ktla.com


La Canada Flintridge, CA: La Cañada Flintridge shoe store targeted in back-to-back burglaries
A shoe store in La Cañada Flintridge was hit twice within a week by burglars - and the owner thinks it was likely the same crew. Video shows three hooded suspects break the window at Solez, ransack the store and take off with valuable merchandise last Thursday around 3 a.m. "It's the absolute worst thing that could happen because me not being able to provide something for my client when they walk in, it's just the worst feeling," said the store owner, who asked to remain anonymous. Even though the owner hired a security guard, the store was hit again just days later - Monday around 6 a.m.  abc7.com


Exton, PA: Police across Chester County search for suspects stealing carts of merch from Gabe's stores
Police across Chester County are looking for a group that's targeting Gabe's discount stores and stealing carts full of merchandise. The investigation began on August 5, when police in North Coventry heard reports that two women had filled their carts with clothes and other items before walking out of the store. Neither of them paid for their items.  6abc.com


Bristow, OK: C- Store Owner says he's out $20,000 after thieves break in, steal cigarettes