XPost: ca.politics, talk.politics.guns, sac.politics   
   XPost: alt.society.liberalism, soc.culture.african.american   
   From: nospam@ix.netcom.com   
      
   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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