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Gov. Newsom Confronts Accusations of Responsibility for Shoplifting Epidemic

In a recent incident at a Target store, an employee blamed the governor for the state's shoplifting problem, prompting Newsom to defend his policies and highlight new measures to combat retail theft.

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during the Clinton Global Initiative meeting at the Hilton Midtown on Sept. 18, 2023 in New York City. A Target employee blamed “the governor” for rampant shoplifting in a conversation with Newsom, he said.
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Overview

  • California Governor Gavin Newsom recently recounted an incident where a Target employee blamed him for the state's shoplifting epidemic, not realizing she was speaking to the governor himself.
  • The incident occurred as Newsom witnessed a man leaving the store without paying for merchandise, and the employee explained they don't stop shoplifters 'because of the governor.'
  • Newsom defended his policies, stating that California has the tenth-toughest threshold in America for property theft, with stealing goods valued below $950 categorized as a misdemeanor.
  • The governor's recounting of the incident comes amidst ongoing criticism of Proposition 47, a law passed in 2014 that reduced some non-violent crimes from felonies to misdemeanors, which some believe has contributed to an increase in shoplifting.
  • Despite the criticism, Newsom has stopped short of asking voters to reconsider Proposition 47, but has recently announced new law enforcement measures to combat retail theft.