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Hochul Reports 13% Drop in Shoplifting, $2.6 Million Recovered by State Task Force

The governor credits coordinated enforcement with recent legal changes as holiday shopping begins.

Overview

  • Since April 2024, authorities have recorded 1,224 arrests and 2,146 criminal charges tied to the state’s retail theft effort, according to the governor’s office.
  • NYPD data shows 46,736 retail theft incidents so far this year versus 54,081 in the same period last year, a 13.5% decline.
  • The state dedicated more than $40 million and roughly 100 State Police officers to a task force coordinating with federal, state and local partners.
  • Recent budget measures target repeat offenders and third‑party sellers, elevate assaults on retail workers to a felony, and provide $5 million in small‑business security tax credits.
  • Hochul promoted the results at a Brooklyn event ahead of the holiday season and her 2026 re‑election campaign, while her office did not detail how many NYC arrests were directly tied to the task force.