Big City introduces anti-theft kiosks and new penalties for those who steal from stores
A New York mayor has unveiled new plans to combat the mega-surge in retail theft that is “striking the heart of the city.”
mayor Eric Adams’ The bomb project includes resource kiosks, anti-theft training for retail workers and delinquent diversion programs to combat the citywide problem.
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Since 2018, New York City authorities have recorded an annual increase in shoplifting complaints, with a 44 percent increase between 2021 and 2022.
Mayor Adams said this week, “Shoplifters and organized crime gangs are preying on businesses already impacted by COVID-19.”
He explains that the plan, based on the large-scale retail theft report, “will tackle retail theft through a combination of law enforcement, prevention and intervention.”
“Last year alone, 327 repeat offenders were responsible for 30 percent of the more than 22,000 retail thefts in our city. This has hurt our businesses, our employees, our customers and our city.”
The plan calls for the introduction of resource kiosks designed to benefit disadvantaged community members who are more vulnerable to shoplifting.
They will help “connect people in need to key government resources and social services.”
The city will also focus on diversionary programs designed to help prevent the crimes before they happen.
It will allow nonviolent offenders to avoid prosecution by engaging services on how to address the underlying issues that lead to shoplifting.
The new penalties will focus on prevention and rehabilitation rather than incarceration.
However, the plan aims to enable the five district prosecutor’s offices to pursue criminals more intensively in the case of repeat offenders.
The plan also includes an employee support program with training for employees on de-escalation tactics, anti-theft tools and security best practices to ensure their safety.
The multi-pronged plan includes monitoring neighborhood retail and establishing an organized retail theft task force in New York City to further combat the problem.
“Retail theft doesn’t just go to the heart of our economy; It touches the hearts and livelihoods of New Yorkers themselves,” said Philip Banks III, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety.
“It’s affecting every one of us and it’s going to take all of us to solve it – law enforcement, government, retailers and the public.”
“This plan is our roadmap for the future and we will continue to work together to protect our businesses.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James said, “Retail theft continues to harm New Yorkers, threaten businesses and endanger the safety of our communities.”
She continued, “We know that inflation eats into salaries and forces tough conversations around the kitchen table, but stealing from small businesses that are already struggling with high costs and low profit margins is not a solution.”
“I’m proud to have worked with Mayor Adams, our district attorneys and the NYPD to address this issue, and I look forward to continuing our partnership and fighting retail theft so New Yorkers can feel safe in their neighborhoods.” .”
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