Cities across the United States have witnessed a significant surge in retail theft since 2019, with New York City and Los Angeles suffering the most, according to a recent study. The Council on Criminal Justice data revealed that there have been 8,453 more shoplifting incidents across 24 cities in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2019.

New York City, known for its high crime rates, saw the most substantial impact, experiencing a staggering 64 percent increase in retail theft. Following closely behind, Los Angeles recorded a 61 percent jump, while Virginia Beach, Virginia, witnessed a 44 percent rise. Dallas and Raleigh, North Carolina, rounded off the top five with increases in shoplifting of 20 percent and 19 percent, respectively.

However, the study also highlighted positive trends in some cities. St. Petersburg, Florida, saw a remarkable 78 percent decrease in theft, and the Minnesota twin cities, St. Paul and Minneapolis, reported drops of 65 percent and 57 percent, respectively.

The Council on Criminal Justice, which has been monitoring crime rates in large US cities since the pandemic started, revealed that reported cases of shoplifting rebounded after a significant dip in 2020. New York City alone witnessed an astonishing 64 percent rise in retail theft since mid-2019, totaling an additional 11,000 thefts during this period.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) has been battling a growing wave of thefts, particularly in pharmacies, department stores, and jewelry stores. In response, Mayor Eric Adams launched a new plan in May, aiming to establish a streamlined approach for businesses to report shoplifting, create a neighborhood retail watch program, and establish a specialized task force to address shoplifting incidents.

Similar to New York City, Los Angeles recorded the second-largest increase in retail theft, with a 61 percent rise. Flash rob incidents, where groups of thieves storm into stores to steal merchandise, have become increasingly prevalent. In one instance, a group of thieves stormed a Los Angeles Macy's department store before making off with $20,000 worth of perfume.

While certain cities experienced alarming rises in retail theft, others saw a reduction in the number of incidents. St. Petersburg witnessed an impressive 78 percent decrease, and St. Louis, Austin, and Colorado Springs reported declines of 48 percent, 47 percent, and 46 percent, respectively.

The study projects that the number of shoplifting incidents nationwide will reach 122,368 by the end of 2023, the highest since 2018. This figure indicates a staggering increase of 35,000 compared to the retail theft reported in 2020.

The Council for Criminal Justice attributed the rise in retail theft to various factors, including bail reform laws and an increased reporting rate by stores. The study further revealed that the median value of goods stolen grew from approximately $75 in 2019 to $100 in 2021.

The National Retail Federation recently reported a rise in organized retail crime, with Los Angeles ranking as the city with the highest rate for the fifth consecutive year. The report also highlighted that shoplifting incidents involving assault or other crimes increased by 9 percent from 2019 to 2021.

As retailers face substantial losses, with shrink reaching $112.2 billion in 2022, stores have intensified efforts to combat shoplifting. Several major retailers, such as Target and CVS, have taken measures such as secure product locking to deter potential shoplifters.

The alarming rise in retail theft reflects an ongoing challenge for affected cities, law enforcement agencies, and retailers, who are actively seeking ways to address and mitigate this issue.