New York City Sees Decrease in Shoplifting

New York City’s shoplifting incidents have decreased by 12%, as announced by Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday.

During a speech at a Harlem street corner, she highlighted a 12% drop in retail theft year-over-year in the city, with a statewide reduction of 5% as well.

“The communities I’ve visited during this crisis were asked if they saw a difference, and the resounding response was ‘Yes’,” Hochul conveyed to reporters.

“We’re really aiming to demonstrate how effectively we can collaborate,” she added, recognizing local business leaders for their advocacy in reaching out to lawmakers in Albany.

Last year, Hochul and the state legislature implemented various measures to address the recent surge in retail thefts. This was part of a broader state budget package.

The provisions included legal changes meant to heighten the consequences for repeat offenders and organized theft rings. For example, prosecutors can now aggregate the value of stolen goods from multiple stores, leading to more serious charges.

Additionally, the new measures aim to increase penalties for individuals who assault retail workers, investing $40 million into small business support and offering a $5 million tax credit for security upgrades.

Moreover, Hochul confirmed a partnership with Mayor Eric Adams to tackle these retail theft issues together.

Recent data indicates that New York is “heading in a much better direction than where we were” as the pandemic began to subside.

In 2022, retail theft had surged by 45% compared to 2021, according to information from the NYPD.

Jessica Walker, president and CEO of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, remarked, “Harlem is around the corner, and the entire city has rounded the corner when it comes to crime.”