Overview
- City Councilor Ed Flynn asked Police Commissioner Michael Cox to devote more resources, including hiring additional officers, to focus on repeat, high‑volume and violent shoplifters.
- Boston Police data show shoplifting arrests are up 261% compared with the five‑year average and roughly 116% year over year.
- Police and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office say targeted operations under the Safe Shopping Initiative and more reports from retailers largely explain the increase.
- Commissioner Michael Cox urged ongoing communication from businesses and said officers are proactively engaging the retail community.
- Officials report repeat offenders account for about 20% of those arrested, while retail leaders support the crackdown and contend higher arrest totals reflect enforcement rather than a surge in incidents.