Governor Kathy Hochul on Sept. 26 spotlighted the state’s decline in organized retail theft across New York City and statewide.
Retail theft dropped more than 12% in New York City, nearly 5,000 fewer cases and 5% across the rest of the state, after thefts spiked in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Retail theft and quality-of-life crimes impact more than just the businesses who experience them — they impact entire neighborhoods. That is why I dedicated tremendous resources last year to fight the scourge of organized retail crime,” Hochul said.
The changes, signed into law as part of the FY2025 State Budget, include:
- Elevating assaults on retail workers from a misdemeanor to a felony.
- Allowing prosecutors to combine stolen goods from multiple stores when building larceny cases.
- Cracking down on third-party sellers who profit from stolen items.
- Creating dedicated Retail Theft Teams with 100 State Police officers.
- Offering small businesses a $3,000 tax credit for theft-prevention upgrades.
These measures, combined with broader public safety investments, are restoring confidence among retailers and shoppers. New York City has also seen a 4% drop in overall index crimes, an 11% decline in felony robberies and sharp decreases in shootings plus murders.
Local business leaders and statewide retail advocates have credited the governor’s policies with helping turn the tide, though many stress the work is far from over. Small businesses, in particular, are beginning to feel relief with new security support and tax credits aimed at offsetting costs.
The progress comes on the heels of a major bust last year that dismantled a multi-year, international theft ring responsible for stealing more than $2 million in retail goods, one of the first prosecutions under the state’s strengthened laws.
