A group representing over 4,000 grocers in New York City has asked the state legislature to pass stricter laws preventing shoplifting, and wants jail time for those who assault retail employees.
Collective Action to Protect our Stores (CAPS) is lobbying for legislation after shoplifting in the city increased by 81% through the first quarter of 2023, the New York Post reported. The rise in shoplifting has caused some stores to lock up their products, which has caused sales to drop up to 20%, according to Axios.
To combat this, CAPS is requesting multiple legislative changes, such as dedicated NYPD officers for retail theft, lower standards for felony theft and enhancements for attacking a retail store employee.
SEE IT: this is why we need to protect retail workers, and we need to protect them now. https://t.co/gql2e3dMwI
— Collective Action to Protect our Stores (@capsnyc2023) March 10, 2023
