Solution to the Theft Epidemic? Penalties, Enforcement & Prosecution
Op-Ed: Stealing is the New Epidemic
Talk to retailers in just about any part of the United States and they will tell you that retail theft and vandalism have reached crisis proportions. Rather than being the small percentage that stores have been able to absorb in the past as "the cost of doing business," it has gotten to the point where major retailers are closing stores or in some cases, going out of business altogether.

The question is, why has retail theft gotten so out of control at this point in time? While the lion's share of the blame lies obviously with the criminals, a regrettably large share falls squarely on elected officials who create and institute public policy that deals with crime and punishment.

One of the most egregious examples of the theft epidemic is San Francisco. Thanks to California's Proposition 47, which raised the monetary limit from $400 to $950 to which a person could be charged with a felony for theft, criminals have been operating with virtual impunity. This was done, incredibly, to allow for inflation and a spike in the cost of living. Criminals are well aware of this and know that if they keep their thefts under the magic $950 limit, they will be charged with a misdemeanor, if they are even caught at all. In turn, if it gets to court it will most likely be dismissed with little or no punishment.

The answer to the epidemic of retail theft is three-fold: increase penalties at every stage, institute unrelenting enforcement at the ground level followed by vigorous prosecution with stiff penalties. Unless there is a serious legislative deterrent coupled with aggressive arrest and prosecution, criminals will simply laugh and continue the crime spree that has beset every supermarket chain and many other retailers across the state. In addition to the cost to businesses, the consumer also shares in the pain through higher prices and less shopping options.

A great first step would be to pass the suite of Organized Retail Theft (OTR) bills of which my colleague Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn and I are proud to be co-sponsors. This package of bills would increase penalties for shoplifting, protect retail workers from assault, create designated units to fight retail theft and target the organizers of the theft rings. These initiatives are not partisan, just common sense that should be embraced by both sides of the aisle.  savejersey.com

 
'Coordinated Action' is Key to Fighting Theft
Collaborative Efforts to Curb Retail Theft Epidemic
As retail theft rates soar to unprecedented levels, a recent gathering highlights the urgency for comprehensive solutions. Coordinated action from industry leaders and law enforcement is pivotal, particularly during the bustling holiday season.

• A formidable alliance was formed to tackle the surge in retail crime, with experts and officials uniting to strategise.

• This discussion was spearheaded by x-hoppers, amidst rising concerns of retail crime reported by a significant 61% of shoppers.

• Police officials, retail experts, and business owners collectively addressed the pressing need for enhanced communication and reporting.

• Retailer adoption of AI technology was championed as a critical step in safeguarding businesses and consumers alike.

In a groundbreaking meeting led by x-hoppers, industry leaders and law enforcement officials convened to confront the alarming rise in retail crime, coinciding with the looming holiday shopping season. This critical discussion underscored the dire need for effective strategies to protect both businesses and consumers from escalating theft incidents. Recent findings highlighted a 46% increase in shoplifting over the past year, amounting to losses estimated at £7.9 billion annually.

Superintendent Holdaway stressed the community-wide impact of retail theft, advocating for enhanced communication between retailers and law enforcement to improve enforcement efforts amidst resource constraints. "If we don't know about crime, we can't fight it. This is a community issue," he stated. financial-news.co.uk

 
California's Retail Crime Task Force Recovers $8M in 2024
CHP retail crime task force recovers more than $8 million in stolen goods
Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that California's Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF), led by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), continues its work to tamp down on organized retail theft operations statewide. This year, the task force has conducted 621 investigations statewide leading to 1,123 arrests and recovered 269,992 stolen items valued at $8.1 million.

Since the inception of the task force in 2019, the CHP has been involved in more than 3,000 investigations leading to the arrest of 3,223 suspects and the recovery of over 880,276 stolen goods valued at nearly $46 million.

"The California Highway Patrol commends our retail theft investigation teams for their exceptional work in dismantling organized theft rings and protecting businesses across the state," said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. "They prevent significant losses and ensure that those who target retailers are brought to justice. Their dedication, skill, and teamwork are critical in keeping our communities and economy safe."

In September alone, CHP recovered 1,995 stolen items worth more than $306,553.

This effort led by the CHP is part of Governor Newsom's comprehensive approach to combat organized retail crime, which includes new measures to crack down on property crime and creates unprecedented funding for police and prosecutors in local communities. gov.ca.gov


Where the Presidential Candidates Stand on Crime
On crime and justice, Trump and Harris records differ widely
Both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris say they take crime seriously. Trump and the Republicans have focused attention on the problem of illegal immigration and the crimes that he says immigrants commit. Harris, as The Economist noted, "is using her history as a prosecutor in San Francisco to burnish her tough-on-crime bona fides."

Kamala Harris, the prosecutor

Harris has a long record of working in the criminal justice system. She worked in the Alameda County district attorney's office in California, starting in 1990. She then served as district attorney in San Francisco from 2004 to 2010 and as attorney general of California from 2010 to 2017, when she was elected to the U.S. Senate.

Axios reported that during her term as district attorney, "the number of violent crimes rose steadily in the city of San Francisco during her first five years in office then fell 15% in her last two years." And when she served as the state's attorney general, "the violent crime rate in the state was 439.6 per 100,000 residents the year before she took office and fell to 396.4 by 2014. ... However, violent crime surged to 444.8 in 2016 during her last year in office to a six-year high," Axios reported.

In both offices, Harris undertook a number of reforms in criminal justice policy.

Donald Trump's record as president

After a long time without any federal executions, the Trump administration carried out 13 of them in the last seven months of his term. ProPublica said Trump's administration "executed more federal prisoners than any presidency since Franklin Delano Roosevelt's" and more than the prior 10 presidents combined.

In other areas, the Trump administration stepped in to stop some criminal justice reform initiatives.

But during his presidency, Trump was not consistent in being tough on crime. For instance, in March 2018, he signed an executive order creating the Federal Interagency Crime Prevention and Improving Reentry Council. theconversation.com


Fighting Retail Crime in the UK: Arrests Up, Crime Down
UK: Business Action Week highlights retail crime

The continuing struggle of retailers against shop crime is being highlighted in Safer Business Action Week, which began Oct. 14

Nisa is among the symbol groups taking part, by highlighting what its retailers can do to deter and minimise shop theft and anti-social behaviour. Among Nisa's recommendations is working more closely with local police, which can help retailers "gain access to additional resources".

The results of this have been more arrests, greater community awareness, and a notable reduction in crime.

Nisa also advises retailers to use modern security systems if possible, invest in staff training, and work with local organisations "such as food banks and the Salvation Army" to address the social issues that often underly petty crime.

Benedict Selvaratnam, owner of Freshfields Market in Croydon, south London, has done this and said: "It's about more than just preventing crime; we want to be part of the solution."  talkingretail.com


UK: Police take a stand against retail crime following national rise

Hochul deploys state troopers to NYC's 'Market of Sweethearts' to clean up crime-infested block
 

$100K worth of jewelry stolen from Orange County store
A small business owner is asking for help identifying two thieves who posed as customers and stole over $100,000 worth of rings and other items from his Orange County jewelry store. On Sept. 17, a man and woman walked into OC Diamond Estate Jewelry on Glassell Street and asked owner Samy Soliman to see some of his more expensive pieces. Soliman thought they seemed like normal customers, "They were well-dressed, and they really have expensive jewelry on them," he recounted to KTLA's Chip Yost. Serving the customers, Soliman said he got some boxes of the more expensive jewelry that he thought might interest them. "Then my phone rang," explained Soliman. "I left the boxes for a second. She pulled one of the boxes out, put it on the seat slowly. I didn't notice because I can't see her because of her boyfriend in front of my eyes." When Soliman got off the phone, the woman engaged him in conversation while the man put the box in his pants, covered it with his T-shirt and walked out. Soliman said the thieves got away with dozens of some of his most expensive jewelry. yahoo.com
 

Phoenix, AZ: Alleged $37,000 Phoenix retail crime spree culprit indicted
A man who allegedly robbed $37,000 in goods from various retail stores in Phoenix is now facing 44 counts of organized retail theft. From November of last year all the way until last month, Hector Manuel Romero allegedly stole from Target, Lowe's, Home Depot and Ulta on 44 separate occasions. "Organized Retail Theft is one of my top issues as County Attorney. These crimes impact our small businesses and I will continue holding these thieves accountable. Proud of this indictment today and appreciate the economic impact these small businesses have on our community," County Attorney Rachel Mitchell tweeted on Tuesday. Organized retail theft counts are class four felonies, which carries prison time if convicted as a class four felony. Romero also faced two shoplifting counts, which are misdemeanors. According to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office website, there have been 663 organized retail theft bookings as of Sept. 30, and it is an increase from 2022 and 2023, which had 513 and 616 bookings, respectively. However, over the last six years, 2019 had the highest figure with 758 bookings for the charges. One of reason the office dubs the crime "concerning" is that it not only poses a public safety risk, it could also lead to higher prices in the longer term. thecentersquare.com


San Bernardino County, CA: 26 arrested in San Bernardino County retail theft bust
More than two dozen people were arrested and over $16,000 in stolen property recovered as part of a retail theft bust in San Bernardino County. The arrests were made over a two-week period between Sept. 26 and Oct. 11 and involved several agencies including the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, the San Bernardino Police Department, the California Highway Patrol, and Homeland Security Investigations. Of the 26 arrests, six were felony arrests and 20 were misdemeanor arrests, officials said. Operation SMASH and Grab focuses efforts on the Rancho Cucamonga, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville, and Chino Hills shopping districts to combat the rise in retail thefts. Last week, authorities in Ventura County arrested 15 people in connection with retail thefts in Camarillo. foxla.com


Retail theft duo in Southern California caught with nearly $1,500 in stolen goods
A man and a woman were taken into custody after cameras at a Southern California retail clothing store captured the duo stealing nearly $1,500 in merchandise and making a run for it, officials announced Tuesday. Officers with the Upland Police Department responded to the area of Euclid Avenue and Foothill Boulevard on the evening of Oct. 14 on reports of the theft in progress. In a post to X, formerly Twitter, police said it was the third reported theft within a matter of hours at the unspecified retailer. yahoo.com


Downtown store robbed of nearly $50K in merchandise

UK: Inside the £70k 'mafia-style' champagne shoplifting gang