Governor Kathy Hochul visited Harlem to meet with local business leaders and discuss the state’s recent progress in reducing organized retail theft in New York City and statewide.
After a notable rise in organized retail theft following the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Hochul introduced several measures aimed at addressing these crimes. These actions included more than $40 million for law enforcement initiatives, new laws targeting perpetrators, and increased protections for retail workers. According to the Governor’s office, retail theft in New York City has dropped by over 12 percent year over year—amounting to nearly 5,000 fewer incidents—and by 5 percent elsewhere in the state.
“Retail theft and quality-of-life crimes impact more than just the businesses who experience them — they impact entire neighborhoods. That is why I dedicated tremendous resources last year to fight the scourge of organized retail crime,” Governor Hochul said. “While today’s numbers represent significant progress in the fight against retail theft, we will not back down. I remain committed to supporting our businesses and their workers to restore a sense of security and peace of mind for shoppers and store owners alike.”
Crime data showed a sharp increase in retail theft after pandemic restrictions eased in 2022 as businesses resumed normal operations. In response, as part of the FY2025 State Budget, Governor Hochul enacted several initiatives. The measures included elevating assaults on retail workers from misdemeanors to felonies if injury occurs during work duties; allowing prosecutors to aggregate stolen goods’ value from different stores under a single criminal scheme; criminalizing selling stolen goods through any website or physical location; allocating $40.2 million for Retail Theft Teams across State Police, District Attorneys’ offices, and local law enforcement—including 100 State Police personnel dedicated to this effort; and providing $5 million for small business security tax credits up to $3,000.
Following these investments, New York State is projected to see retail theft rates return to levels seen before the post-pandemic surge. Additional public safety statistics show that New York City experienced a reduction of more than four percent in index crimes and an 11 percent drop in felony robberies. Shootings have declined by nearly 20 percent while murders are down by 21 percent.
“While today’s numbers represent significant progress in the fight against retail theft, we will not back down. I remain committed to supporting our businesses and their workers to restore a sense of security and peace of mind for shoppers and store owners alike,” said Governor Hochul.
Jessica Walker, President and CEO of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, stated: “In recent months, many storefront businesses have told us they feel the difference and that New York has turned a corner on bringing down crime and addressing retail theft. There is more work to do but we are thankful that Governor Hochul’s legislative policies on retail theft and discovery reform appear to be working as we had hoped.”
Melissa O’Connor, President and CEO of the Retail Council of New York State, commented: “Today’s announcement regarding the decline in retail theft throughout New York is a result of strong and consistent collaboration among retailers, law enforcement, prosecutors, community groups and Governor Hochul. Organized retail crime and habitual retail theft is more than just a financial loss for retailers investing in the state, it is a community safety issue that needs to be managed accordingly. I want to thank the governor for listening to the industry’s concerns several months ago, and importantly, for taking effective action. We will continue to partner with all stakeholders to ensure a safe and enjoyable shopping experience in New York State.”
State Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda added: “I congratulate Governor Hochul on her successful measures to combat organized retail theft. The $40 million investment to combat organized retail theft is yielding real results — with a more than 12 percent drop in retail theft in New York City and 5 percent statewide. By strengthening protections for retail workers, holding perpetrators accountable, and providing $5 million in tax credits to help small businesses improve security, the Governor is protecting both workers and consumers while restoring confidence in our local economy. These efforts show that strategic investments in safety can make our communities stronger while also protecting consumers.”
Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz said: “Whether an individual is a business owner, retail worker or customer, everyone deserves to have safe retail experiences in New York. Businesses are the backbone of New York and need the proper resources and attention to continue thriving. Investments in additional law enforcement, tax credits for small businesses and changes in criminal penalties have shown to be an effective way of reducing retail theft throughout the State while increasing protections for retail workers. By cracking down on this issue, Governor Hochul is putting the safety of New Yorkers as a top priority, ensuring success for us all.”
A major investigation led by Retail Theft Teams within State Police recently exposed an international operation responsible for stealing about $2 million worth of goods over several years; this case marked one of the first uses of new state laws against organized shoplifting announced by Governor Hochul alongside Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.
Beyond targeting organized shoplifting rings specifically through recent policy changes—and high-profile prosecutions—Governor Hochul has directed nearly $3 billion toward broader public safety initiatives across New York.
