New York City is Taking Action – Mayor Eric Adams Launches Task Force to Combat Rising Retail Theft Crisis
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has initiated a special task force to tackle the ongoing retail theft crisis. Comprised of New York’s Attorney General Letitia James, district attorneys, law enforcement representatives, local businesses, organized labor, and the New York City Police Department, this assembly is prepared to inspect legislative proposals, intelligence gathering, and standard operating procedures designed to reduce the negative impacts stealing has had on the city for the past several years.
Official reports indicate shoplifting complaints have been slowly increasing yearlybetween 2018 and 2022, with the highest jump forming from 2021 to 2022 at 44%. That being said, so far in 2023 complaints have dropped by 7.9%. The NYPD has responded by raising the number of arrests by 16%.
Available statistics show that Target Corporation, a major retailer, closed one of it’s stores located in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City partially due to concerns related to retail theft and organized crime. Grand total, Target reported 96 stores across in the New York area while employing over 20,000 individuals.
Towards that effect, Mayor Eric Adams and company have reiterated: “Retail theft hurts everyone, from our mom-and-pop shops to large department stores — and especially consumers. I am proud to convene this group of experts and practitioners as we continue to take a 360-degree approach to combatting retail theft and curbing this serious issue that plagues cities across the country.”
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