New York and California on Thursday outlined plans to crack down on retail theft as shoplifting losses grew nearly 20% in 2022.
In California, Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a legislative framework to crack down on retail and property crimes, including proposals to increase law enforcement's ability to arrest suspects, aggregating theft amounts, eliminating the sunset provision for the retail crime statute, and increasing penalties for large-scale stolen goods resellers.
New York Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday in her State of State address said she plans to introduce legislation that would establish criminal penalties for online marketplaces and third-party sellers that contribute to the sale of stolen goods and increase criminal penalties for assaulting retail workers.
In addition, she plans to set up two new New York State Police task forces dedicated to stopping retail theft — one for building cases against organized retail theft rings and another that addresses smash-and-grab robberies.
Newsom said in a press release: "Building on California's existing laws and record public safety investments, I'm calling for new legislation to expand criminal penalties for those profiting on retail theft and auto burglaries. These laws will make California safer and bolster police and prosecutor tools to arrest and hold professional criminals accountable."
Stores lost $112.1 billion to retail theft in 2022, according to Capital One Shopping Research and the National Retail Federation (NRF), and projections indicate shoplifting could cost retailers over $140 billion in 2025.
Los Angeles and San Francisco topped the NRF's list of cities most affected by organized retail crime, Houston was third and New York City was fourth. NRF defines organized retail crime as theft/fraud activity conducted with the intent to convert illegally obtained merchandise, cash, cargo, or cash equivalent for financial gain.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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