A package of measures to combat the scourge of retail theft is among the public safety initiatives passed in conjunction with the Fiscal Year 2025 budget with the strong support of Assemblyman William Colton (D—Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Dyker Heights).

“I am delighted that Governor Hochul, the Assembly and the State Senate have agreed on these important actions to crack down on retail theft in New York City and across the state,” said Assemblyman Colton.

The multi-pronged approach to retail theft includes elevating the penalty for assaulting a retail worker from a misdemeanor to a felony, permitting prosecutors to combine the value of goods stolen from several stores by the same individual or individuals in order to raise the penalty for such theft, and going after third-party sellers of stolen merchandise by creating a new category of crime, fostering the sale of stolen goods, which will be a Class A misdemeanor.

In addition, the state budget includes $40.2 million that will be used to create dedicated Retail Theft Teams within the state police, local district attorney’s offices and local law enforcement which will focus on the issue. The budget also includes a total $5 million tax credit for small businesses that invest in retail theft prevention measures, with businesses that meet the spending threshold eligible for a $3,000 state tax credit.

“This focus on retail theft – which has been an increasing problem over the past several years – will aid our small businesses which are so hard-hit by criminals who steal from them, often in order to resell their ill-gotten gains online,” Assemblyman Colton said.

Other public safety measures passed in conjunction with the FY 2025 budget include a crackdown on illegal cannabis shops, an expansion of the definition of hate crimes and an increased penalty to deter assaults on transit workers.

“These important measures will help improve safety throughout the city and state through a combination of enforcement and deterrence, at a time when residents are demanding increased security on public transportation and on city streets,” Assemblyman Colton said.