The Democratic mayoral candidate wants to force city stores to “unlock toothpaste” by linking camera systems to officers to speed up shoplifting reports.
Director Brad Lander's proposed online platform will push a button on the store clerk to send security camera footage to NYPD for shoplifters. Participating companies need to remove barriers that are now popular after shop-argument numbers have decreased in stores, he said.
“This is one of the feelings of a New Yorker every day,” Lander told the Post. “This is a crime and safety issue for our stores and a convenience issue for New Yorkers who are frustrated that they have to wait to get their toothpaste.”
He said progressive Democrats usually worked with law enforcement officials, store managers and workers to develop careful plans.
“Once you press a button on an existing system, you'll get a PD notification and it's easier to get faster response times,” Lander says.
Lander's plans call for camera grants so that small and medium-sized businesses can also connect to the NYPD system.
The proposal to increase policing is a significant change for Lander, who was once a “reimbursing police” crusade. meanwhile At the city council He called for a $1 billion budget cut from the NYPD.
However, after his mayor's intentions were announced last September, Lander I hit another tonetelling the association for a better New York that “police is important to prevent violence, respond, put illegal guns out of the streets and solve crimes.”
Lander said Wednesday that he needed to crack down on the city's extensive shoplifting issue.
He referenced a Retail Theft Report Theft has increased by 56% since 2019 from the Manhattan Institute, which stated 2023 was the second-highest year in shoplifting records. The best year for shoplifting records was in 2022, when shoplifting cases increased by 68.1% compared to 2019. The report shows more than 25,000 additional thefts.
While shoplifting ramps, pharmacies and other stores have begun locking low-cost items to prevent burglars.
“Shoplifting has really grown since the pandemic,” Lander said. “I think that's one of the factors of the obstacles. The pandemic has caused a kind of obstacle that we haven't yet returned to control. This is part of our efforts to bring it back to control. If we can get more control over shoplifting and reduce slipping, our stores may actually save money and reduce costs.”
Lander proposes diversion programs and drug court treatment to discourage repeat offenders.
“A lot of these are people who struggle with substance abuse and that may be related to why they shoplifting,” Lander said.
Lander will also be educating the public who may be mistakenly purchasing items that are being stolen from online markets such as the Facebook Marketplace.
“We can make cities safer, improving quality of life,” Lander said.
