Posted on: May 17, 2023 05:14 PM

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Here comes a new love to combat shoplifting

The NYC Mayor announced two new diversion programs to combat shoplifters at retail locations.

FIrst is “Second Chance” and Re-Engaging Store Theft Offenders and Retail Establishments (RESTORE) to allow non-violent offenders to avoid prosecution or incarceration by meaningfully engaging with services to help address underlying factors that lead to shoplifting. More nonprofit programs.

The other is install resource kiosks in stores to connect individuals in need to critical government resources and social services. More government programs to avoid shoplifting.

The Mayor also stated a new program to launch an employee support program to train retail workers in de-escalation tactics, anti-theft tools, and security best practices to help keep them safe in the event of an emergency and to support employees who have been impacted by thefts.

With the exception of 2020, the total number of citywide shoplifting complaints has increased year over year since 2018, with the largest increase at 44 percent taking place from 2021 to 2022.