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XPost: sac.politics, alt.society.liberalism

Retail theft is becoming a major issue in the US, and California is one of
the states passionate about cracking down on this societal issue. The
state plans to introduce new legislation that would allow retail workers
to remain safe and hopes it leads to a decrease in the number of popular targeted crimes.

Places Most Affected By Retail Theft

According to AXIOS, San Francisco, the city and Oakland are the areas most affected by retail theft. Retail theft tends to be more rampant in large
metro areas, as these areas often have more goods available for thieves to steal.

Walgreens Had to Close Several Stores

There are those who assume that store chains are not bothered by
shoplifters, as they can cover the costs of the stolen products. However, according to an AP News report in 2021, Walgreens had to close five of its
San Francisco stores and had closed 10 since the beginning of 2019 due to retail crime.

Shoplifting Deterrents Affect Sales

Stores have implemented shoplifting deterrents, but this move seems to
have the opposite effect. AXIOS reports that stores have seen a drop in
sales from 15% to 25%, making it seem like store owners have to pick
between putting up deterrents and losing sales or not putting up
deterrents and encouraging shoplifters.

Deterrents Inconvenience Shoppers

Shoplifting deterrents are in place to make things harder for would-be shoplifters, discouraging them from committing the crime in the first
place. However, the deterrents have become an inconvenience to shoppers
because they have to find an employee to open the case for them to get the items they need. This wastes their time and can make them want to shop elsewhere or online.

Shoplifting and Its Costs

It may seem like shoplifting some bananas, or other small items might not
cost the store a significant amount, but it’s a lot more than that. The National Retail Federation reports that shoplifting and organized retail
crime cost retailers around $700,000 per $1 billion in sales annually.

There Are Groups Stealing Thousands at a Time

These days, shoplifting is no longer restricted to just mere individuals stealing from stores, there are now groups coming in that have made it
into an organized crime. These shoplifters are stealing up to tens of
thousands of dollars worth of items each time they strike, a sharp spike compared to what it was before.

How Organized Crime Affects the Public’s Confidence

Californian lawmakers noticed that the increased crime, especially
regarding organized retail crime, was doing a lot of damage to the
public’s confidence in law and order. The Assembly Democratic Caucus Chair reported that Speaker Robert Riva said they hope the new bipartisan
package will reverse this damage and restore the public’s confidence in
law and order.

California’s Announcement

In April 2024, the California government announced the bipartisan package
aims to award stiffer penalties to shoplifters. The package will prevent
serial shoplifters from recommitting the offense and impose serious
sanctions on those who do.

The Property Crime Threshold Has Been Lowered

According to AXIOS San Francisco, the current property crime threshold is $100,000 but will now be changed to $50,000, meaning criminals will be
given extended jail time. A restraining order will also be issued to those
who commit theft, vandalism, or battery against an employee.

No More Multiple Theft Cases

Some criminals commit the same crime in different areas depending on
location, leading to multiple court cases for the same crime. The new laws
will add multiple theft charges to the same case in one court case and
increase the use of diversion and rehabilitative programs.

The Laws’s Aim

These new laws are intended to help keep the public and retail workers
safe from harm. Many also hope that the tougher laws will deter criminals
from committing these offenses.

Do you think the law will be effective? Let us know in the comments.

https://gistfest.com/gallery/california-clamps-down-on-serial-retail-
theft/

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