What to know
On Wednesday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams launched a task force to support the implementation of his plan to combat retail theft in all five boroughs. “New York City retailers are the heart and soul of our city, and retail theft hurts everyone, from our mom-and-pop shops to department stores, and especially consumers,” said Mayor Adams. The task force includes several members of the government and law enforcement, local business organizations, unions and national retailers such as Gap Inc., Macy’s, Starbucks and Target.
NEW YORK — On Wednesday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams launched a task force to support the implementation of his plan to combat retail theft in all five boroughs.
Led by Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III, the group delivers on a key commitment outlined in the “Retail Theft Report” by Mayor Adams, created through a collaborative effort between retailers, law enforcement and other stakeholders, which included program-oriented solutions and enhanced law enforcement efforts to combat retail theft.
“New York City retailers are the heart and soul of our city, and retail theft hurts everyone, from our mom-and-pop shops to department stores, and especially consumers,” said Mayor Adams. “Thanks to collaborative actions taken in recent months between the government, private sector, law enforcement and, most importantly, local businesses, retail theft has decreased this year, but there is always more work to be done. do. I am proud to convene this group of experts and professionals as we continue to take a 360-degree approach to combating retail theft and curbing this serious problem affecting cities across the country. “Together, we recognize the importance of safeguarding our businesses, protecting jobs and ensuring a safer, more vibrant city for all who live, work and visit our great city.”
The task force brings together elected officials, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and all five New York City district attorneys, with additional representatives from law enforcement, as well as local business groups, national retailers and unions. The Adams administration will be represented by the Office of Public Safety, the New York City Police Department (NYPD), the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) and the City Department of Small Business Services (SBS). from New York.
After shoplifting increased in New York City and cities across the country for several years, the Adams administration’s partnerships with retailers and increased law enforcement have begun to turn the tide.
Except for 2020, the total number of shoplifting complaints citywide increased year over year between 2018 and 2022, with the largest increase (44 percent) occurring between 2021 and 2022.
However, so far in 2023, shoplifting complaints are down 7.9 percent citywide compared to 2022. Shoplifting arrests are up 16.4 percent so far in 2023 compared to 2022 due to enhanced law enforcement efforts by the NYPD.
“Our unified efforts to combat retail theft in New York City certainly require the continued and unwavering commitment of every stakeholder,” said NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban. “By launching this task force, we are confronting the genesis of this persistent and very costly problem head-on and developing collaborative responses to prevent it from persisting. The NYPD and our law enforcement partners are very optimistic that, by working together with our many partners in the community, the tide will soon turn on this widespread concern.”
The task force will advise the Adams administration on legislative proposals aimed at addressing retail theft, improve intelligence sharing among stakeholders to identify and respond to emerging theft trends and crime patterns, and ensure that citywide best practices to use cutting-edge technology to effectively deter, prevent and respond to retail theft.
The task force includes several members of government and law enforcement, local business organizations, unions and national retailers such as Gap Inc., Macy’s, Starbucks and Target.
“The creation of the Retail Theft Task Force is another proactive and necessary step in the right direction to address what has become an economic epidemic for many small businesses,” said Wilma Alonso, President and CEO from the Fordham Road Business Improvement District. “As the data begins to move in the right direction, we thank Mayor Adams and Deputy Mayor Banks for redoubling their commitment to providing the tools necessary for our commercial corridors to promote public safety and for inspiring us to create our own Patrol. “Ambassador program to observe, deter and inform even such a receptive administration.”
2023-11-09 02:52:51
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