California Proposes New Measures to Combat Retail Theft

Lawmakers introduce legislation targeting professional thieves amid rising concerns over organized shoplifting and smash-and-grab robberies.

California lawmakers propose the California Retail Theft Reduction Act to combat organized retail theft, targeting professional thieves with penalties up to three years.
The act aims to aggregate theft values from different retailers, require online sellers to maintain legal acquisition records, and allow police arrests based on witness statements or video evidence.
Proposition 47, which classified theft under $950 as a misdemeanor, faces scrutiny as retail theft rises, prompting discussions on its reform or repeal.
Law enforcement agencies and retail businesses support the new legislation, emphasizing the need to address the surge in theft and its impact on communities.
Critics argue that focusing on incarceration may not solve the underlying issues of retail theft, advocating for services over sentences.