RETAIL THEFT / ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME

According to the National Retail Federation, organized retail crime (ORC) accounts for nearly $30 billion in economic loss per year. ORC is characterized by organized criminal rings that steal property with the intent to sell and distribute, or return stolen merchandise for value. ORC takes many forms, from coordinated thefts of specific goods to brazen attacks on local retailers.

Since California passed Proposition 47 in 2014, retail and cargo theft has exploded due to the reduction in penalties. 

PROPOSED LEGISLATION

On February 16, 2024, Assembly leadership announced legislation introduced to combat organized retail crime and shoplifting. The measure would create a new crime with a penalty up to three years of incarceration for the possession of stolen property with the intent to sell. This legislation is a step in the right direction, but not a complete solution as it doesn't fix the problem created with Proposition 47.

GOVERNOR'S ACTIONS

BUDGET: The Governor released his new budget which includes combatting Organized Retail Crime and Other Crimes—$373.5 million General Fund over four years to bolster local law enforcement efforts to address retail theft and other crimes. This includes ongoing resources to expand and make permanent California Highway Patrol's retail theft task forces as well as the Department of Justice's Special Operations Unit and other task force and prosecution teams. 

PROPOSED STATEWIDE BALLOT MEASURE

A coalition of groups representing law enforcement and business groups have qualified a statewide ballot measure, the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, Retail Theft Reduction Act. CBPA has endorsed this initiative and is actively working to support its passage. The measure would:

• Reclassify retail theft with two or more prior convictions as a felony
• After two hard drug convictions, discretion to charge third hard drug possession as treatment mandated felony
• Address fentanyl crisis by going after fentanyl drug dealers