State budget aims to curb retail theft

State Sen. John Liu (D-Flushing) on Friday stood with Downtown Flushing business owners and leaders outside US 1 Supermarket on Main Street as he discussed provisions in the newly passed state budget designed to curb retail theft across New York. 

 “We know that even though some of the major crime statistics have been going downward retail theft has been going in the wrong direction,” Liu said. “And in fact, that’s still too much of a problem. It’s a problem for small business owners. It’s a problem for the public at large.”

Data from the NYPD show that retail theft complaints have skyrocketed citywide in recent years, with year-end totals going from more than 32,250 in 2017 to over 59,000 in 2023. That’s down from 2022, however, when there were approximately 63,700 citywide. 

The budget includes four measures focused on combating retail theft, among them the creation of a program that provides tax credits for small businesses spending money on security measures, such as cameras, security officers, alarm systems or perimeter lighting. Qualified expenses include any combination of mechanisms exceeding $4,000 for companies with 25 employees or fewer; those with more than 25 would need to spend at least $6,000 to be eligible for the credit.

According to Liu, the program does not apply to measures already in place. 

“We know many store owners and business owners have already taken measures to harden their businesses against retail theft,” he said. “We’re looking for business owners to do even more to protect themselves — you can always add more cameras, better lighting, stronger and tougher locks, and even hire security.”

The credit would apply for the 2024 tax season, he added. 

Another of the new laws makes it possible for prosecutors to aggregate multiple petit larceny retail theft charges in order to get the total value of stolen goods to $1,000, making for a felony larceny charge. Effectively, that would punish repeat offenders so that they are punished for the total value of goods they have stolen over the course of a year. 

Indeed, Jing Jing Bao, US 1 Supermarket’s general manager, said that some thieves know not to take items that total more than $700 or $800 in order to avoid a felony if caught, per Liu’s translation.

The budget also includes legislation allows for those facilitating the sale of stolen good to be charged. Liu did not give specifics as to how that will be enforced when asked Friday. 

“I can’t claim to be a detective, but I know that our law enforcement are capable of a great deal of skill,” he said.

Additionally, the fiscal plan makes it a felony to assault a retail worker when the perpetrator causes physical injury.

Dian Yu, executive director of the Downtown Flushing Business Improvement District, applauded the new laws. 

“It’s a great news for our community, and a great step in the right direction,” he said Friday. “It is not right for small businesses to absorb the costs of stolen product as costs of doing business. And I think that is why this law is so helpful, so useful.”