RLP NEWS
CHICAGO — Retail theft rates in the nation’s three largest cities — New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago — remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, according to a recent report by the nonpartisan Council on Criminal Justice. This rise in shoplifting has spurred a wave of legislative action and increased security measures by major retailers across the country.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, viral videos of smash-and-grab robberies have fueled public fears about rising crime. While perceptions of crime have improved in recent years, many Americans still believe crime is worse than in the past.
“There is this sense of brazenness that people have — they can just walk in and steal stuff,” said Alex Piquero, a criminology professor at the University of Miami. “That hurts the consumer, and it hurts the company.”
Shoplifting Trends Across Major Cities
In Chicago, shoplifting reports rose 46% from January to October 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Los Angeles saw an 87% increase in shoplifting rates between 2019 and 2023, although reports in 2024 show a slight decline, likely due to changes in crime reporting systems. New York experienced a 48% jump in shoplifting from 2021 to 2022, with rates in 2024 continuing to climb by 3% compared to last year.
Shoplifting rates tend to peak during the holiday season, but data shows that incidents in the first half of 2024 were already higher than the previous year, despite heightened security measures by retailers.
Legislative Responses and Retailer Strategies
States have responded with stricter penalties and new laws targeting retail theft. In 2024 alone, eight states passed 14 measures, including felony penalties for repeat offenders, cross-county aggregation of theft charges, and protections for retail workers.
In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a series of bills increasing penalties for organized retail crime. The laws allow police to arrest suspects for retail theft even if officers didn’t witness the crime. Voters in California also approved measures imposing harsher penalties for repeat offenders.
New Jersey is considering legislation that would increase sentences for leaders of shoplifting rings and allow prosecutors to aggregate stolen goods’ value over a year to file more severe charges.
Meanwhile, retailers have upgraded security systems, locked up high-demand merchandise, and hired private security firms. Some have closed stores in areas with high theft rates.
Organized Retail Crime and Violence Concerns
Retailers attribute a significant portion of losses to organized retail crime. According to the National Retail Federation, “external theft” accounted for 36% of the $112.1 billion in merchandise losses in 2022. However, experts caution that some claims have been overstated.
Concerns about violence during theft incidents are also rising. Many retailers are adopting a “hands-off” policy, with 41% of businesses prohibiting employees from intervening with shoplifters, according to the federation’s 2023 survey.
Improving Crime Data Reporting
Better reporting is critical for understanding shoplifting trends, says Ernesto Lopez, a senior research specialist with the Council on Criminal Justice. Discrepancies in national crime data, such as the FBI’s conflicting crime reporting systems, make it difficult to assess the full scope of the issue.
“All law enforcement agencies have limited resources,” Lopez said. “Having the most accurate information allows for better policy and better implementation.”
As states and retailers ramp up efforts to combat retail theft, the challenge remains in balancing security, enforcement, and community trust to address this persistent problem effectively.