Mayor Adams vows to eradicate retail theft, calls for tougher laws

File Source: NYC.gov

Mayor Eric Adams doubled down on his commitment to tackling retail theft, calling it a “real crisis” with widespread consequences for businesses, workers, and communities.

Speaking at the Mayor’s Retail Theft Task Force meeting on Wednesday, Adams rejected claims that shoplifting is a victimless crime, sharing the story of a security guard who lost his job after a store closed due to theft.

“I challenge people who tell us that retail theft is a victimless crime, that there are no victims. They are victims. They are real victims,” Adams said. “It impacts on many layers of our desire to continue the prosperity that this city has to offer.”

The mayor highlighted an 8.2% drop in retail theft but insisted more must be done, particularly by lawmakers. He criticized lenient policies that have allowed repeat offenders to go unpunished. “How do you have 575 people who are arrested 7,500 times and we’re not adjusting the laws to fit that?” he asked.

Adams also denounced the growing trend of stores locking up basic goods due to rampant theft. “There’s no greater indictment on our system than when you have to lock up every item and push a button for someone to come and give you what you need,” he said.

The mayor ended on a defiant note, vowing to move beyond reducing shoplifting to eliminating it altogether. “We don’t surrender. We fight back. We solve the problem… and we are going to do all that’s possible to not alleviate retail theft, but to eradicate retail theft.”