NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Eric Adams hosted a summit on Friday to create a citywide strategic prevention plan to combat shoplifting in all five boroughs.
The summit included the New York City Police Department (NYPD), the Attorney General’s Office, the city’s five district attorney’s offices, and mental health and social service providers, as well as retail industry leaders, representatives of the chambers of commerce. , various Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), organized unions, advocacy organizations, and state and national retail associations have all come together to discuss policy ideas and creative solutions to address the rise in retail theft, to be released in a report next year.
“New York City’s businesses are the lifeblood of our economic recovery, and we will not stand by and let criminals undermine our economy and New Yorkers’ livelihoods,” Mayor Adams said. “Our retail stores have my commitment to continue working towards real and lasting solutions to the problem of retail theft. The large turnout at today’s summit sends a clear and unified message that no one is going to get away with taking anything without paying for it.”
Topics discussed at Friday’s summit included using technology to combat retail theft, physical security measures to deter theft, surveillance best practices, diversion programs, and enhancing existing partnerships between forces of the order.
Public safety and rebuilding New York City’s economy to pre-pandemic levels are top priorities for the Adams administration. By summoning experienced leaders with a variety of perspectives on the issue of shoplifting, Mayor Adams set out to identify workable solutions that work for all stakeholders and serve to improve public safety and preserve justice.
“Store theft harms small businesses and New Yorkers who depend on stores in their communities to transport essential items,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “Last May, my office was proud to work with Mayor Adams, the NYPD and our other partners to bring down a massive retail theft ring. We will continue our efforts and coordination with New York City officials to combat retail theft and protect New York consumers and small businesses. I thank Mayor Adams for continuing to make public safety a priority.”
“Today’s Mayor’s meeting was constructive and informative in bringing to light the situation facing retail with theft and burglaries,” said Nelson Eusebio, government liaison for the National Supermarket Association. “I want to thank the city for taking the initiative to address this issue. This is the first step of many others to address this issue in a way that allows the city to thrive, stores to stay in business, and our citizens to shop freely and fearlessly in our local stores.”
