Governor Kathy Hochul today was joined by members of the Legislature and small business owners from across New York to support a comprehensive statewide crackdown on organized retail theft. Governor Hochul's anti-theft plan, included in her FY25 Executive Budget proposal, includes $25 million for a dedicated retail theft unit in the New York State Police, $15 million for District Attorneys and local law enforcement, and $5 million to cover security costs for businesses. It also includes new legislation to protect retail workers from assault and to crack down on online sales of stolen goods.
“We've been successfully working with local law enforcement to drive down gun violence, murders and shootings – now we must take that same approach to curb organized retail theft,” Governor Hochul said. “It’s time to give police and prosecutors the tools they need to go after retail thieves and back our businesses with the full force of the law. Public safety is my top priority, and I'm committed to keeping customers and workers safe.”
Governor Hochul’s proposals would utilize proven crime-fighting strategies that have been used to drive down violent crime and gun offenses since Governor Hochul took office in 2021. Investments to combat spiking larceny offenses in the FY 2025 Executive Budget include:
- Introducing legislation to establish criminal penalties for online marketplaces and third-party sellers that foster the sale of stolen goods and increase criminal penalties for assaulting retail workers.
- Setting up a New York State Police Smash and Grab Enforcement Unit. The Executive Budget includes $25.2 million in new funding to deploy a dedicated State Police team to build cases against organized retail theft rings and create a new State Police enforcement unit dedicated to this purpose.
- $10 million in funding for DAs to prosecute property crime cases and deploy dedicated Retail Theft Teams in District Attorney (DA) Offices.
- $5 million in additional State funding to build the capacity of local law enforcement efforts to combat retail theft.
- $5 million for a Commercial Security Tax Credit to help business owners offset the costs of certain store security measures.
State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said, “I greatly appreciate the Governor’s efforts in this year’s budget to address retail theft, which has plagued many small businesses in my State Senate district. I look forward to passing legislation to hold the parties responsible for fencing stolen goods and other measures in our budget to curb this problem, including allocating additional resources to our problem-solving courts, such as the Midtown Community Justice Center, that can help address this issue.”
State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton said, “Retail workers deserve the same level of protections as other essential workers. Last year we met with businesses around our district to address the spike in violence against these workers who serve our community on a daily basis. Increasing penalties for assaults on retail workers isn't just a deterrent – it's common sense. Thank you to Governor Kathy Hochul for prioritizing this issue and for your commitment to working together to protect New Yorkers.”
Assemblymember Manny De Los Santos said, “I am concerned for our working families and alarmed by the surge in retail theft impacting our communities. With 386 repeat offenders constituting 30 percent of NYC's theft arrests, urgent action is imperative. Supporting the CAPS coalition and endorsing key legislation is vital to safeguard our small businesses and neighborhoods. Let's unite behind Governor Hochul's plan to combat retail theft and ensure a safer future for all.”
CAPS Founder Nelson Eusebio said, “Governor Kathy Houchul is right, we need to take on retail theft and petty larceny because New York business should be free to operate from fear or worry about being robbed. During the height of the COVID pandemic retail workers were called essential and now they need Albany’s help to make sure they are safe and are able to do their jobs. We commend the governor for her action and urge the legislature to stand up for workers, consumers and small businesses.”
Noir et Blanc TTH Vintage Boutique Owner Deborah Koenigsberger said, “Stores need help, and I am happy to say we have an ally in Governor Hochul. The Governor just gets it – the stores in New York that have had to deal with rising retail theft just want to be able to operate and serve their communities. The state legislature needs to act so that these stores get the protections they need and so that workers and consumers feel safe.”