Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled on April 18 new measures included in the tentative State Budget for the 2025 fiscal year aimed at curbing organized retail theft and enhancing the safety of frontline retail workers across New York State.
The governor’s announcement highlighted a comprehensive five-point plan designed to tackle all areas of vulnerability in retail environments, particularly against organized theft rings. “I promised to fight the scourge of organized retail theft — and in this budget, we got it done,” said Hochul. “Sophisticated organized retail theft operations are putting frontline retail workers at risk and reselling stolen goods on online marketplaces, and we’re taking new steps to end this chaos.”
Key components include:
- Increased Penalties for Assaults on Retail Workers: Assaulting a retail worker will be elevated from a misdemeanor to a felony, with enhanced penalties for any person causing physical injury to a retail worker during their duties.
- Aggregated Larceny Charges: Prosecutors will be able to combine the value of stolen goods across different stores when filing larceny charges to reach higher larceny thresholds under the same criminal scheme.
- Prohibition Against Reselling Stolen Goods: It will become illegal to use any online platform or physical location to sell stolen goods.
- $40.2 Million Funding for Dedicated Retail Theft Teams: This funding will support the formation of teams within the State Police, local law enforcement, and District Attorneys’ offices, including 100 dedicated New York State Police personnel.
- $5 Million Tax Credit for Security Enhancements: Small businesses can receive up to a $3,000 tax credit for investing in security measures like cameras to deter theft.
Hochul emphasized the collaborative nature of these initiatives, involving various stakeholders from the public and private sectors to ensure a comprehensive approach to retail security.
Support for these measures has been strong among local officials and business leaders. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez praised the budget for its commitment to combatting retail theft, while Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz highlighted the necessity of supporting local businesses and ensuring a safe shopping environment.c
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “We will continue to leverage our law enforcement partnerships to further ongoing efforts to prevent thieves from targeting the hard-working citizens of New York. The State Police is fully engaged on this issue and will not tolerate individuals responsible for stealing millions of dollars in merchandise, victimizing both retailers and the public. I thank Governor Hochul for her continued support, and the New York State Police stands ready to commit the resources necessary to ensure the success of this initiative.”
Paul Zuber, executive vice president of the Business Council of new York State, Inc., said, “Retail theft has become a major concern for businesses across the state, particularly small businesses with exposed inventory, which is leaving them susceptible to such crimes. We thank the Governor for prioritizing these increased safety measures and for protecting those who provide jobs and contribute to the state and local economies.”