Hochul Highlights Drop in Retail Theft Across New York

Governor Kathy Hochul said retail theft has dropped significantly across New York, pointing to a 12% decrease in New York City and a 5% decline statewide over the past year. She shared the update Tuesday while meeting with business leaders in Harlem.

“Retail theft and quality-of-life crimes impact more than just the businesses who experience them — they impact entire neighborhoods,” Hochul said. “While today’s numbers represent significant progress in the fight against retail theft, we will not back down.”

According to state data, the decrease amounts to nearly 5,000 fewer thefts in New York City compared to the previous year. Officials credit the decline to enhanced enforcement measures, including more than $40 million in funding for law enforcement efforts targeting shoplifting and organized retail crime.

The changes were part of the 2025 state budget, which introduced new policies to address retail crime trends that escalated after the COVID-19 pandemic.

As reported by The Advance/SILive.com, Hochul’s five-point plan included several key measures: upgrading charges for assaults on retail employees from misdemeanors to felonies, allowing prosecutors to aggregate the value of stolen goods across multiple incidents or stores when bringing larceny cases, deploying 100 additional New York State Police officers to new Retail Theft Teams, and creating a $3,000 tax credit for small businesses that invest in theft-prevention tools.

The crackdown on retail theft reflects broader improvements in public safety across New York City. Officials reported an 11% reduction in felony robberies, a 20% drop in shootings, and a 21% decline in homicides.

Jessica Walker, President and CEO of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, said businesses have already noticed the changes. “Feel the difference,” she said, adding that “New York has turned a corner on bringing down crime and addressing retail theft.”

Hochul Highlights Drop in Retail Theft Across New York