California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law a package of 10 new bills designed to combat rising retail crime in the state. Announced on Friday, these laws aim to address a variety of theft-related issues, including shoplifting, theft from vehicles, organized retail crime, and the resale of stolen goods on online marketplaces. Retailers have increasingly called on both local and federal governments to take stronger action against retail theft, which they argue has significantly impacted profits, customer experiences, and employee safety.
One of the most notable pieces of legislation in the package, SB 1416, introduces tougher penalties for those involved in organized retail crime rings. The bill, authored by State Senator Josh Newman, establishes additional prison time and fines for middlemen who facilitate the sale, exchange, or return of stolen property. Prior to the passage of SB 1416, individuals involved in such crimes faced up to three years in prison, a penalty critics argued was insufficient to deter these activities. The law was partly inspired by cases like that of Michelle Mack, a key figure in an organized retail crime ring who made millions reselling stolen goods online.
Mack was arrested in December and later sentenced to over five years in state prison, along with her husband, Kenneth. The couple was also ordered to pay restitution of approximately $3 million to Ulta and $13,000 to Sephora, two of the retailers affected by their illegal activities.
The new laws come at a time when commercial burglary and robbery rates in California have been on the rise, according to data from the Public Policy Institute of California. Shoplifting, while still below pre-pandemic levels, is also increasing. The California Highway Patrol’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force has been active in combating these crimes, with 884 arrests and the recovery of over 250,000 stolen items valued at more than $7.2 million since January.
In addition to addressing physical theft, another bill in the package, SB 1144, targets the online resale of stolen goods. Introduced by State Senator Nancy Skinner, this legislation builds on a previous California law, updating compliance requirements for high-volume, third-party sellers on platforms like Amazon. The bill also makes it easier to pursue civil charges against online marketplaces that facilitate the sale of stolen goods.
With the 2024 presidential election approaching, Democrats, including Governor Newsom, are taking steps to demonstrate a tough stance on crime, responding to criticisms about rising crime rates nationwide. However, some critics argue that these measures could disproportionately affect marginalized communities. The new laws reflect California’s ongoing effort to balance public safety concerns with the need for equitable enforcement of the law.
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