Relates to organized retail theft using an emergency exit

BILL NUMBER:S6957B

Title of bill

An act to amend the penal law, in relation to organized retail theft using an emergency exit

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill adds a new subdivision to penal law section 155.30 to provide that use of an emergency exit to facilitate a theft from a mercantile establishment is classified as grand larceny in the fourth degree.

Summary of provisions

Section One amends the penal law by adding a new section which provides that stealing from a mercantile establishment and using an emergency exit to facilitate such theft shall be classified as grand larceny in the fourth degree.

Section Two is the effective date.

Justification

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, organized retail theft is an industry that costs United States retailers about $30 billion per year. Organized retail crime comprises a wide spectrum of high-volume and highly organized theft rings that cost New York retailers hundreds of millions of dollars annually and, more importantly, compromise the health, safety, and welfare of unsuspecting New York consumers. For every item stolen, New York state and local governments lose out on sales tax revenue, adding up to millions annually. Organized retail theft is the most serious security issue facing many retail merchants, including apparel and accessory retailers, mass merchandisers, do-it-yourself stores, drug stores, and supermarkets. It's a crime that has grown substantially over the past decade. Retailers are forced to offset these significant costs through higher prices - meaning that honest consumers are forced to endure the impact of organized retail theft and professional shoplifters.

One of the ways that criminals commit these offenses is through the use of an emergency exit. These thieves have been known to hide in retail stores and wait for all employees to leave before removing large amounts of goods through emergency exits. By amending the general business law and the penal law to enhance penalties for those thieves who steal from a retail establishment, and depart from an emergency exit, these types of schemes can be deterred

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.