Some New York City small business owners are unconvinced that Gov. Cathy Hochul’s proposed solutions to combat retail theft will actually deter shoplifters, who have become bolder in recent years.
Hochul recently announced plans to combat organized retail crime in the city. The plan includes creating a law enforcement task force on retail theft and a state police team focused on organized retail theft rings. The $45 million proposal reportedly includes handing out trespass notices to people caught stealing so they can be arrested if they return to the same store. In the pilot program, only 29 of his 329 people who received these notifications returned to the same store.
“What we’re really looking at is a sophisticated, organized retail, bang-up effort. They’re going into homes, stealing everything off the shelves, and putting it in stolen cars. A lot of it makes the crime even more complicated.” Hochul said..
But small business owners and retail theft experts said tougher penalties are needed for shoplifters who have become more brazen in their crimes.
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Small business owners and retail theft experts have called for tougher policies against crime as retail thefts soar. (Getty Images)
Robert Morales, owner of 784 Hardware Store, told New York City news outlet The City that he deals with more than just push-and-pull robberies and snatch-and-snatch robberies. He also witnessed people entering the store and waiting until the store was busy to steal expensive power tools.
Deborah Koenigsberger, owner of clothing boutique Noir et Blanc, said she’s seeing the same trend in her store.
“People used to try to hide the fact that they were stealing, but monitoring could stop them,” she says. in the report. “Now people come in, pick up a few items and walk out the door.”
Police often arrive late, telling business owners that even if they catch criminals, they must release them. As a result, Morales and Koenigsberger have had to implement additional security measures to combat persistent theft.
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New York City police provided surveillance footage of a crash and grab by three suspects who exited a white Acura shortly before the theft occurred. (New York City Police Department)
Mr. Morales is currently only allowing one or two customers in the store at a time, but Mr. Koenigsberger has three employees in the store at all times.
She said employees are scared because of the robbery.
“This is really bad for morale,” she said. “People say, ‘I don’t want to be here, I’m scared.'”
Both store owners said they could help by hiring security guards, but they could not afford it.
Mr. Morales called for increased law enforcement to address the problem.
“If you call law enforcement, they have to come on time and arrest these people,” he said.
Retail theft expert Robert McCree cited New York state crime mitigation policies as a reason thieves have become more bold since the pandemic.
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In last year’s robbery, the suspects reportedly posed as FedEx employees and presented fake invoices before carrying out the robbery, according to NBC New York. (New York City Police Department)
“As is the case with most shoplifting cases, the lack of will to prosecute misdemeanors has led to relaxed regulations for shoplifting,” John Jay College of Criminal Justice professors wrote in the report.
In New York, the theft must exceed $1,000 to be considered a felony. Shoplifters who are caught stealing items of low value are usually given a court appearance ticket.
“We have a reputation for stealing less than $1,000 with no consequences,” he says. “That’s why New York is the worst, and we haven’t been like that in the past.”
Governor Hochul’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
“Crime is down across New York City, and thanks to the administration’s efforts since its first year in office, retail theft decreased in each quarter of 2023,” a New York City Hall spokesperson said in a statement. “We are grateful to the City Council for this partnership.” We support this record of success and Mayor Adams’ efforts to protect retail workers and local businesses, and we will consider the bill once it is introduced. ”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
