Amid the recent uptick in smash-and-grab robberies in Los Angeles, major department stores have seen the highest number of reported crimes in seven years.
Statistics from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), cited by the statistical analysis platform Crosstown on August 21, show 2,912 reported crimes in department stores from January to July. This averages 416 incidents per month, representing a 122% increase from the same period last year (1,307 incidents) and a 44% increase from 2016.
These figures are nearly quadruple the incidents reported in 2021 (764), a year that recorded the lowest crime rate. Of the crimes reported this year, seven out of ten were classified as “misdemeanors.” Shoplifting incidents valued at $950 or less accounted for 2,071 (or 71%) of the 2,912 total incidents.
Contrastingly, 351 crimes (12%) were designated as felonies, suggesting stolen items worth over $950. Some reports detailed dangerous incidents involving weapons: nine with mace or pepper spray, 21 with knives or sharp objects, and ten involving firearms.
In response to rising concerns, both the state of California and the city of Los Angeles are taking action. On August 17, LA Mayor Karen Bass announced the establishment of a special task force, working in tandem with local police and other law enforcement agencies, to combat “retail theft.”
Governor Gavin Newsom has concurrently announced plans to triple resources for the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to address the surge in smash-and-grab robbery.
Local business owners and some politicians criticize law enforcement agencies for merely treating the symptoms and not addressing the root causes.
“We need a stronger police presence, stricter sentencing, and authorization for our security teams to take decisive actions when situations intensify. However, the city remains noncommittal,” said Sarah Watt, a clothing store owner in Los Angeles, in her conversation with the California Globe. She also mentioned that Mayor Bass is not adequately addressing the fundamental issues.
State Senate Republicans criticize Newsom for pressuring law enforcement without providing additional funding for the CHP. They argue that the state’s lenient laws, allowing early release for retail offenders, underscore the ineffectiveness of the governor’s measures.
Senator Brian Jones (R-San Diego) commented, “The crisis we face stems from policies adopted by Democrat lawmakers over decades, which prioritize leniency to criminals over community protection. Although it’s commendable that the state is allocating more resources to address the rise in thefts, such measures shouldn’t be necessary to begin with. The governor is merely addressing symptoms, not the underlying causes, which include minimal penalties, early release, lenient sentencing, and a lack of strong leadership from many of California’s Democrat politicians over recent years.”
BY SUAH JANG [jang.suah@koreadaily.com]
