In the wake of Governor Kathy Hochul’s declaration of a “war against shoplifters” during her 2024 State of the State address, Congressman Mike Lawler has offered a straightforward solution to combat the rising tide of retail theft. Lawler’s proposal calls for the prosecution of criminals and the implementation of jail time as a deterrent, responding to the alarming statistics that show $4 billion in retail theft in the past year with no sign of improvement.
Lawler’s sound logic was shared this morning in response to Governor Hochul’s acknowledgment of the rampant shoplifting crisis, which has led to many products being kept under lock and key in stores. Despite the governor’s promises to address the issue, Lawler believes her proposed solutions fall short of tackling the root problem.
During her State of the State address, Governor Hochul revealed plans to impose additional penalties on offenders who assault retail workers, but she made no mention of the straightforward solution proposed by Lawler. Hochul’s initiatives include providing tax credits to help store owners cover security costs and financial losses resulting from shoplifting, forming a new joint state, local, and federal retail theft operation, and expanding the work of Crime Analysis Centers to collect evidence from retailers victimized by organized crime. Notably absent from her plans were any provisions for tougher penalties.
Critics argue that these initiatives amount to mere “Band-Aids” for the deep wounds caused by shoplifting, which is devastating honest businesses across the state. Governor Hochul herself acknowledged the severity of the problem, stating that “retail theft has surged, creating fear among customers and workers.” She described thieves brazenly tearing items off shelves, menacing employees, and forcing store owners into financial ruin.
Congressman Lawler, along with other concerned citizens, has questioned when the governor will take substantial action to address the breakdown of the social order caused by shoplifting. Lawler’s call for tougher penalties aims to tackle the root cause of the problem, suggesting that prosecution and jail time could be the key to mending the fabric of normal society that has been torn apart by escalating retail theft.