Torrance and Valley Village are both in Los Angeles County, and about 32 miles apart. "Think about these employees in these stores who are a witness to these crimes. What is needed is a change to the state law that makes shoplifting at a much lower dollar level a felony, to provide adequate incentives to individuals not to commit these crimes. In Southern California, about 300 residents in the Antelope Valley saw their water system crash last year after thieves used water trucks to tap fire hydrants and water mains illegally. In Fresno, a $500 fine is possible the first time somebody is caught stealing water from a fire hydrant, city spokesman Mark Standriff said. KPRC in San Francisco reports that since Boudin made theft under $950 a misdemeanor, and police no longer even bother to arrest people for shoplifting, criminals have taken notice. "They care about what's happening in their backyard.". Despite being the bluest state in the country, only 48 percent of Californians want to retain Newsom as governor. WebPolice in the Kabete constituency in Kiambu county have arrested 6 people suspected to have been stealing vehicles and vandalising their parts. Thestolen bags were estimated to be worth $25,000, local media reported. WebIn October, the California Attorney General's Office announced breaking up a major theft ring in the Bay Area in which $8 million worth of merchandise was allegedly swiped from David and Joan Traitel Building & Rental Information, National Security, Technology & Law Working Group, Middle East and the Islamic World Working Group, Military History/Contemporary Conflict Working Group, Technology, Economics, and Governance Working Group, Answering Challenges to Advanced Economies, Understanding the Effects of Technology on Economics and Governance, Support the Mission of the Hoover Institution. At least two more suspects are still at large after an early morning It ought to be possible to operate a retail store in one of Americas largest and most iconic cities, but this most basic commercial proposition is in doubt in San Francisco. The LAPD was also investigating a similar incident in which groups entered several stores in the Beverly Center on Wednesday, grabbed merchandise and ran out. I think were going to be OK on Election Day. Sounds like a well-intentioned man who still wants the job but is having second thoughts about whether he believes in himself. "I can't believe I'm actually living this situation.". A bill moving through the state Legislature and supported by the California Retailers Association would renew and fund the Organized Retail Crime Task Force through the end of 2025, focusing on "ringleaders and conspirators of these criminal networks and not the low-level petty thief." The stance of San Francisco isnt exactly anti-business. Over the past three years, the task forces 668 investigations included 252 arrests and the recovery of more than $16.3 billion in stolen merchandise. They ultimately blitzkrieg a particular location. As the state enters another potential drought emergency, we need to ensure that this new activity does not further exacerbate water scarcity, Barger said in a statement to CNN. Whenever we go in there, they always have problems with shoplifters., Mr. Luke has been posting photos of the shoplifting sprees. In a few easy steps create an account and receive the most recent analysis from Hoover fellows tailored to your specific policy interests. Your gift helps advance ideas that promote a free society. A similar study in the Journal of Criminal Justice published this month found that Proposition 47 and another related reform law were successful in helping to reduce the state prison population and that the increases in crime that the initiatives may have been linked to in the Los Angeles area were "generally small.". But he also conceded that it has been difficult recruiting new police officers to the city's department, which remains hundreds of officers short during a climate in which policing remains heavily scrutinized. |. I feel sorry for the clerks, they are regularly being verbally assaulted, he said. 2021 HerLawyer.com. The incident, which remains under investigation, was only the latest to give an impression of lawlessness running rampant in San Francisco's stores, where people have been caught on recordings openly swiping products seemingly without repercussion. Thanks for contacting us. Water stealing has never been more severe, said John Nores, former head of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Marijuana Enforcement Team. The state has recorded increased levels of retail theft every year since prop 47 was passed. In Palo Alto, police said two women were arrested after 30 to 40 people tried to break the glass door to a downtown boutique Sunday night. Google Shoplifting in San Francisco and you will find more than 100,000 hits. At least 5 thieves maced the guard before snatching up to eight expensive handbags. And if you need a one-liner for why Newsom is not the person to govern California, Newsom had this to say about the recall: Were going [to] defeat this partisan effort, and were going to work hard to do the work people sent us here to do. Police have responded by stepping up patrols and stores have been increasing security. Shoplifting isnt unique to Los Angeles, as other cities in the state are reporting an increase. McBride says Gaga promised a $500,000 reward no questions She can't believe the 39-year-old attorney, who ran a high-end loan company, would scam her out of thousands of dollars. String of organized thefts: After Nordstrom robbery in California, will other retailers be next? If you or a loved one would like to learn more about California Decriminalize Theft, get your free consultation with one of our Criminal Defense Attorneys in California today! All rights reserved. "If you let these criminals think that they can go in and steal merchandise and steal things, what happens when someone tries to stop them," Sandoz added. WebThe state decriminalized theft such that stealing less than $950 worth of goods was only a misdemeanor, leading to a small fine, frequently far less than the value of the Jacob Ward, a technology correspondent for NBC News, is a 2018-19 Berggruen Fellow at Stanford Universitys Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, where he is writing a book about how artificial intelligence will shape human behavior. Shoplifting has essentially been decriminalized, and retailers that 2. One alleged victim describes King as like a family member. Even being filmed by multiple people, including security, the thief wasn't discouraged. Most stores only have one or two security personnel on duty at most so they cant stop them all. But its been receiving a lot of opposition in the press, largely funded by Californias labor unions and liberal billionaires like Tom Steyer, Mark Zuckerberg, and the wife of Netflix CEO Reed Hastings. People are stealing water as an extreme drought continues to leave The Golden State dry. And if you are one of those who identify Neiman Marcus with Needless Markup, well, now you know: those markups help cover the cost of theft insurance and stolen merchandise, costs that are passed on to those who choose to acquire merchandise the old-fashioned wayby paying for it. "San Franciscans will have to determine what they can put up with," he added. The clerks say there is nothing they can do. And that makes a difference because they have to be willing to do that.". Last weekend, there were similar incidents in Walnut Creek, Hayward, Oakland and San Jose.". Web6 people accused of stealing $1.1 million in construction equipment by: Samantha Jarpe. The steepest rise has been seen in whats referred to as mass grab and dash robberies, where crowds of people meet up and enter a business all at once and begin grabbing everything they can carry and running out. Wednesday 1 March 2023 09:43, UK Image: Pic: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP San Francisco shoplifting: 4 women bolt out of CVS with stuffed bags in citys latest retail theft. Legal Statement. The former model should be given the environment to thrive, the latter ground to dust. The erstwhile Golden City is beset by an ongoing tide of theft that is closing down retail locations and again demonstrating the citys unwillingness to govern itself. All rights reserved. Only King pocketing and then spending the money. Related: Three-Strikes Law: Which States Have it? It is a local problem in smaller communities, West said. Criminal justice experts say if California officials agree that moving away from mass incarceration and toward decriminalization of low-level offenses is imperative, then it's important to go after the bosses and co-conspirators rather than focusing on the shoplifters themselves, who may be paid juveniles and homeless people, according to officials. Erik Ortiz is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital focusing on racial injustice and social inequality. What will a post-Lightfoot Chicago look like? Antonio Planas is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. "The balance here is to provide a measure of public safety ensuring consumers will not get caught in the middle of a theft in progress by giving law enforcement adequate resources to dismantle organized retail crime operations before they can plot a crime spree," Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, a Democrat who represents parts of Los Angeles, said. And even if a couple of the looters are caught, they know theyll be back out on the streets in an hour or two at most. California smash-and-grab gangs strike again, steal $25,000 in high-end goods. Thats a hell of a lot, Williams said. After Nordstrom robbery in California, will other retailers be next? WebAhmad Rahmaan, 25, and 28-year-old Tylise Bell, of Los Angeles, are being held in O.C. Feb. 23, 2023, at 3:46 p.m. Virginia Passes Law to Crack Down on Organized Retail Theft. KFSN Fresno News also reported on August 19 that two men were arrested for mail theft. WebCalifornia law defines petty theft as the theft of any property with a value of $950 or less. WebBy Antonio Planas. When more is stolen, the charge is referred to as wobbler meaning prosecutors can choose whether they would like to pursue a felony or misdemeanor charge. WebWhen most people think of burgling, they think of breaking into a building intending to steal something. Shoplifting has essentially been decriminalized, and retailers that apprehend thieves can be sued. Walnut Creek police said three people were arrested in connection with Saturday nights incident. Target and Safeway have been reducing hours to try to limit their locations exposure to theft. appreciated. These increases put the spotlight on Californias recent legal change that provides shorter sentences for prisoners, including violent felons, largely because of budgetary issues (California prison costs are among the highest in the country at $81,000 annually per prisoner), and also on Newsoms decision to suspend the states death penalty law via executive order. Why would you attempt to continue to do business in a climate like that? The robbers were in and out of the store within a minute, police said. Three people were arrested. The following individuals will not qualify for sentencing under California Law: The resentencing will not happen for those who the judge determines as a risk to public safety. LA's top prosecutor is threatening a fight with auto companies to force change. On the other, there are the organized crime rings that oversee the theft of vast amounts of merchandise that is turned around and sold online. Both San Francisco and Los Angeles feature district attorneys who are perceived to be soft on crime, and both are facing the possibility of a recall election. Recently, San Franciscos Neiman Marcus was targeted by thieves who had a hankering for designer handbags and hit the purse department hard. Sandoz, who serves as vice president of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, said she blames the incident on Prop 47, a 2014 referendum that lowered criminal sentences on crimes such as shoplifting. Sadly, this may have little effect on shoplifting, given that most of these thefts are by individuals, rather than groups, and it will still be up to police and prosecutors to charge these as felonies. Cities around the country dub themselves the capital of this or that signature product artichokes in Castroville, Calif., earmuffs in Farmington, Maine, spinach in Alma, Ark., fried chicken in Barberton, Ohio. 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