Retail Theft On the Rise As Harder Fights for More Law Enforcement Resources

Organized retail crime has spiked 26.5%, costing the retail industry over $112 billion last year

Stockton businesses dealing with constant theft; Sacramento has 7th highest rate in the country

WASHINGTON – Today, on Fight Retail Crime Day, Representative Josh Harder (CA-9) is sounding the alarm on the dramatic rise of organized retail theft and he’s pushing his colleagues to pass his legislation to stop it. The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act would provide law enforcement with new tools to tackle evolving retail theft trends as well as establish a coordinated multi-agency response to stop organized retail theft. This type of organized crime cost the retail industry over $112 billion in 2022 – a dramatic increase from $94 billion in 2021 – and the loss for businesses means even higher prices for families.

"Criminals are running rampant right now. They are stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of products and facing zero consequences. Law enforcement is already stretched thin and now this rise in organized crime is making it even more difficult,” said Rep. Harder. “We have to take this seriously. It’s unsafe for our families and driving high prices up even higher. The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act will get our law enforcement crucial resources to finally get these criminals under control.”

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