California Launches $267 Million Initiative to Combat ‘Brazen’ Store Thefts

California is taking action to combat the rise in “smash-and-grab” robberies happening across the state. The state will allocate $267 million to help local law enforcement agencies increase patrols, purchase surveillance equipment, and conduct other activities aimed at cracking down on these brazen thefts.

The announcement was made by officials from the California Highway Patrol and law enforcement agencies in San Francisco and Los Angeles. This initiative comes in response to a series of luxury store robberies where large groups of individuals enter a store and steal items in a coordinated manner.

Videos of these incidents have gone viral online, leading to criticism that California has been too lenient on crime. Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, stated, “Enough with these brazen smash-and-grabs – we’re ensuring law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to take down these criminals.”

The funding for this initiative was initially requested by Gov. Newsom in late 2021 when he signed a law to reestablish a statewide task force focused on investigating organized theft rings. The money will be distributed through grants to 55 agencies, including local police departments, sheriff’s offices, and district attorney’s offices.

Over the next three years, these grants will help local law enforcement agencies establish investigative units, increase foot patrols, acquire advanced surveillance technology and equipment, and crack down on vehicle and catalytic converter theft. Additionally, the funds will aid in the establishment of units within district attorney’s offices dedicated to prosecuting these crimes.

California Highway Patrol Commissioner Sean Duryee described the funding as a “game changer” and a significant investment that will go a long way in combating organized retail crime in California.

California is not the only state experiencing these large-scale thefts. Retailers in cities like Chicago and Minneapolis have also been targeted. Recently, a Nordstrom store in the Westfield Topanga Shopping Center was hit by a brazen smash-and-grab flash mob involving several dozen individuals. The store incurred losses between $60,000 and $100,000.

High-end stores like Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent in the Los Angeles area have also been major targets of these crimes. To address this issue, authorities have announced the formation of a new task force to investigate these thefts.

Mayor Karen Bass emphasized the importance of making every Angeleno feel safe while shopping and every entrepreneur feel secure in opening a business in Los Angeles.

Since 2019, California law enforcement has arrested over 1,250 individuals and recovered $30.7 million in stolen merchandise related to organized theft rings, according to the governor’s office.

Los Angeles Assistant Sheriff Holly Francisco highlighted the need for this new funding to address large-scale, organized crimes that can turn violent. There have been instances where suspects have used weapons like firearms, pepper spray, and bear spray during these thefts, causing chaos and endangering innocent shoppers.

The goal of this initiative is to reduce the number of retail thefts and actively investigate all individuals involved in these crimes.

Overall, California’s $267 million initiative shows the state’s commitment to tackling the rise in brazen store thefts and protecting its residents and businesses.

• Associated Press writer Stefanie Dazio in Los Angeles contributed to this report.