Mayor Adams Hosts Summit to Create Strategy to Combat Retail Theft Across Five Boroughs | City of New York


Mayor Adams Hosts Summit to Create Strategy to Combat Retail Theft Across Five Boroughs

December 16, 2022

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today hosted a summit to create a citywide strategic prevention plan to combat retail theft across the five boroughs. The summit included the New York City Police Department (NYPD), the Office of the Attorney General, all five of the city’s District Attorney’s Offices, and mental health and social service providers, as well as leaders of the retail industry, representatives from chambers of commerce, various Business Improvement Districts (BID), organized labor, advocacy organizations, and statewide and national retail associations — all coming together to discuss policy ideas and creative solutions to tackle the increase in retail theft, which will be released in a report next year.

“New York City businesses are the lifeblood of our economic recovery, and we are not going to stand by and let criminals undermine our economy and the livelihood of New Yorkers,” said Mayor Adams. “Our retail stores have my commitment that we will continue to work towards real, long-lasting solutions on the issue of retail theft. The vast participation at today’s summit sends a clear and unified message that will not allow anyone to simply walk away with impunity when they take something without paying for it.”

Topics discussed during today’s summit included leveraging technology to combat retail theft, physical security measures to deter theft, surveillance best practices, diversion programs, and enhancing existing partnerships with law enforcement.

Public safety and building back New York City’s economy to pre-pandemic levels are top priorities for the Adams administration. By convening experienced leaders with a range of perspectives on the issue of retail theft, Mayor Adams aimed to identify actionable solutions that are practical for all stakeholders and that serve to enhance public safety while preserving justice.

“The message to our retailers and retail workers is that the city is listening and we hear your concerns, but, more importantly, we are coming up with solutions together,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III. “This summit brought a vast array of perspectives to the table with an end goal of creating a comprehensive, actionable plan that addresses this issue while ensuring public safety, justice, and economic prosperity.”

“Retail theft harms small businesses and New Yorkers who rely on stores in their communities to carry essential goods,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “This past May, my office was proud to work with Mayor Adams, the NYPD, and our other partners to break up a massive retail theft ring. We will continue our efforts and coordination with New York City officials to combat retail theft and protect New York consumers and small businesses. I thank Mayor Adams for continuing to make public safety a priority."

“Retail stores in the Bronx are being devastated by theft, which brings the threat of violence to store employees and leads to businesses closing and the loss of jobs,” said Bronx County District Attorney Darcel Clark. “This summit was a concrete start to collaboration among all the stakeholders to solve this problem, which affects the community in multiple ways.”

“Today’s discussion between various stakeholders — retail stores, union leaders, Business Improvement District leaders, the NYPD, City Hall, treatment providers, prosecutors, and legislators — was collaborative and productive,” said Manhattan County District Attorney Alvin Bragg. “I thank Mayor Adams for convening this important summit and we look forward to working together to address retail theft in a holistic way.”

“Retail crime is not only illegal, but it creates a lasting economic impact through increased prices for consumers and fewer jobs for our local workforce,” said Queens County District Attorney Melinda Katz. “I look forward to expanding upon our ongoing efforts with meaningful solutions alongside our agency and law enforcement partners to address this growing problem.”

“As the holiday season kicks into full gear, Staten Islanders are reminded of the public safety challenges that plague our shops, shelves, and even our major retailers. As district attorney, I work every day to hold accountable those who pilfer, steal, and burglarize, and I remain committed to keeping all Staten Islanders, including patrons and business owners, safe,” said Richmond County District Attorney Michael McMahon. “In partnership with the NYPD, we will continue to do everything we can to prosecute those who violate our commercial spaces, particularly on a recidivist basis, and will work with the business community to strengthen and upgrade their security systems to ensure the safest shopping experience possible. Although serious challenges remain in confronting this issue, I commend Mayor Adams and Deputy Mayor Banks for bringing law enforcement and the business community together today to strategize on how best to keep our city safe.”

“Mayor Eric Adams today took a bold step to address organized retail crime and store and community safety when he convened the 2022 retail theft summit at Gracie Mansion,” said Melissa O’Connor, president and CEO, Retail Council of New York State. “The mayor recognizes that all stakeholders must think strategically to combat this problem, which presents myriad challenges for stores, employees, and the communities in the five boroughs. It was a pleasure to meet with the mayor, attorney general, district attorneys, NYPD, and community groups throughout the day, and we look forward to implementing the action items agreed upon during the event.”

“The time has come to turn the small business infrastructure into a vehicle for positive change,” said Zaid Nagi, vice president and co-founder, Yemeni American Merchants Association. “We are ground zero for this issue and many others. Nothing stands between us and empowering our merchants not only to report those who have turned stealing into a lucrative business, but, most notably, to offer assistance that will jump start the recovery to cure debilitating mental problems and drug use and address food scarcity.”

“Today's retail theft summit hosted by Mayor Eric Adams created a collaborative, solutions-based approach to one of the most pressing issues confronting the small business community,” said Lisa Sorin, president, Bronx Chamber of Commerce. “The summit will yield policy solutions and legislative actions to address business-related losses and crime in New York City, while presenting long-term solutions to support our communities and neighborhoods. The Bronx Chamber of Commerce is grateful to Mayor Adams, our district attorneys, and community and business stakeholders for being active participants in resolving barriers to small business success. We are confident that this plan will assist in mitigating a myriad of business challenges.”

“The mayor’s summit today was constructive and informative in bringing to light the situation that retail is facing with theft and burglary,” said Nelson Eusebio, government liaison, National Supermarkets Association. “I want to thank the city for taking the initiative to address this issue. This is the first step in many more to come to resolve this issue in a manner that allows the city to flourish, the stores to stay in business, and our citizens to shop freely without fear in our local stores.”

In addition to the New York City Mayor’s Office, the following entities had representatives present at today’s summit:

New York City Law Department

New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice

New York City Police Department

New York City Department of Small Business Services

Office of the New York Attorney General

Bronx County District Attorney’s Office

Kings County District Attorney’s Office

New York County District Attorney’s Office

Queens County District Attorney’s Office

Richmond County District Attorney’s Office

New York City Council

125th Street BID

Bodega & Small Business Association of New York

Bronx Chamber of Commerce

Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce

Brooklyn Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce & Industry

CASES

Center for Court Innovation

Chinatown Partnership

Fifth Avenue Association

Flatbush-Nostrand Junction BID

Flushing BID

Fordham Road BID

Fortune Society

Gap Inc.

Hudson Yards-Hell’s Kitchen Alliance

Korean American Business Council

Latino Supermarket Association

Macy’s

Madison Avenue BID

Manhattan Chamber of Commerce

New York City Criminal Justice Agency

Pitkin Avenue BID

Queens Chamber of Commerce

Retail Council of New York State

Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union

Starbucks

Target

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500

Walgreens

Washington Heights BID

Yemeni American Merchants Association

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