Bills signed to combat shoplifting, local crime – Lake County Record-Bee

SAN JOSE – On Friday, Senate Interim President Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) joined Governor Gavin Newsom, House Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas), legislative colleagues, and state and local politicians in signing groundbreaking legislation to combat shoplifting and community crime.

“Californians have been calling on state leaders to take action on shoplifting. And that's exactly what we're doing today. The Legislature and Governor promised earlier this year to pass comprehensive legislation to combat shoplifting, reduce local crime, and put an end to career criminals,” said Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) during the press conference announcing the bill. “…We're going to give local law enforcement the tools they need to do their jobs and keep stores safe. We're giving Californians the laws they deserve – and that, let's face it, they've been asking for. The new laws the Governor will sign today will increase penalties, increase penalties for organized shoplifting, drive strategic improvements on stolen merchandise, both online and in mom-and-pop stores in every corner of this state. And we're closing loopholes in auto theft.”

McGuire added, “The bottom line is that Californians can breathe a sigh of relief now that these laws are in place. But we also know we must remain vigilant – there is still a lot of work to be done. We must continue to invest in public safety. That's why the Senate and Assembly – working with the Governor – have invested $1.1 billion since 2019 to fight crime, increase law enforcement, and deploy police to combat local crime hotspots in every single community. So mark my words, there is much more to come.”

“Let's be clear: This is the most significant anti-property crime bill in California's modern history,” Newsom noted. “I thank the bipartisan group of legislators, our retail partners and stakeholders for putting public safety above politics. While some seek to return us to ineffective and costly measures of the past, these new laws represent a better path forward – making our communities safer and providing meaningful tools to help law enforcement arrest and hold criminals accountable.”

“California's hardworking business owners have asked us for help, and today we are passing thoughtful, balanced new legislation that protects their livelihoods, their employees and their customers,” said Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas. “To those who brazenly harass and steal from our businesses, you must be held accountable. I am deeply proud of my colleagues for taking on this important public safety issue, and I thank Representative Rick Chavez Zbur, the Governor, the Pro Tem and the Attorney General for their commitment and leadership. In California, we keep our fellow citizens safe and do our jobs.”

“I am grateful to the Governor for signing this landmark package of legislation and to Speaker Rivas for making shoplifting a priority,” said Special Committee on Shoplifting Chair Rep. Rick Chavez Zbur. “This bill directly benefits Californians by addressing the pressing problem of shoplifting that affects shoppers, business owners and workers across our state. Many constituents have expressed concerns about local retailers closing, job losses and safety. By working with diverse stakeholders, we have crafted a balanced solution that puts an end to shoplifting rings while maintaining important reforms in the criminal justice system. This bill is an important step toward making our communities safer and stronger.”

Lawmakers said these laws provide new tools to support ongoing efforts to hold criminals accountable for blitz burglaries, property crimes, shoplifting and auto break-ins. While crime rates in California continue to hover near historic lows, these laws help California adapt to evolving criminal tactics to ensure offenders are effectively held accountable.

California law already gives law enforcement and prosecutors robust tools to arrest and charge suspects involved in organized retail crime — including up to three years in prison for organized retail theft. The state has the 10th highest hurdle in the country for prosecutors to charge suspects with a crime: $950. Forty other states — including Texas ($2,500), Alabama ($1,500) and Mississippi ($1,000) — require higher amounts for suspects to be charged with a crime.

Local support in the fight against organised retail crime

According to Governor Newsom's office, the state has invested $1.1 billion since 2019 to fight crime, help local governments hire more police officers, and improve public safety. Today's action builds on the Governor's Real Public Safety Plan, which focuses on strengthening local law enforcement response, ensuring offenders are held accountable, and removing guns and drugs from our streets, including by deploying the California Highway Patrol in hot spots like Oakland, Bakersfield, and San Francisco.

As part of the state's largest investment to combat organized retail crime, Newsom announced last year that the state had distributed $267 million to 55 communities to help local communities combat organized retail crime. These funds have enabled cities and counties to hire more police officers, make more arrests and obtain more charges against felony suspects.

Nationwide efforts to combat shoplifting and organized crime

Last year, the California Highway Patrol reported a 310% year-over-year increase in proactive operations against organized retail crime, as well as special operations across the state to combat crime and improve public safety. And as of January 2024, the CHP's Organized Retail Crime Task Force is on track to exceed its 2023 workload, making 884 arrests and recovering more than a quarter million stolen goods valued at over $7.2 million.