Lawmakers want to target organized retail theft

New York lawmakers are confronting a nationwide retail issue estimated to cost $100 billion: organized crime rings systematically targeting stores to steal products.

This trend has led retailers to secure common items under lock and key, impacting customer convenience.

The Legislature has greenlit a measure to form a task force to investigate and address this issue. Pending Governor Kathy Hochul’s approval, the 15-member group will comprise appointees from the state Senate, Assembly, governor, and state attorney general. They are tasked with developing legislative and regulatory recommendations.

The Retail Council of New York State and the National Supermarket Association have endorsed the task force’s formation, stressing the need for “interagency coordination.”

Other states like Washington, California, Colorado, Illinois, Connecticut, and nine others have established similar initiatives. The task force is also expected to focus on worker safety. McDonald expressed his intention for the task force to establish best practices, seeking ways to counteract the retail theft epidemic.