Bill strengthening penalties for organized retail theft passes Assembly committee
The legislation would also help create a retail theft unit to investigate and catch those involved
NEW JERSEY – In an effort to combat the issue of organized retail crime across the state, legislation to address retail theft advanced through the Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee last week.
Bill A4755, sponsored by Assemblyman Joe Danielsen and Assemblywoman Heather Simmons, would amend New Jersey’s laws concerning organized retail thefts, including establishing harsher penalties for repeat offenders and stronger protections for retail employees. Additionally, it would require the New Jersey Attorney General to create a retail theft unit in the Department of Law and Public Safety.
“Organized retail thieves need to know that they are not above the law and that their crimes hurt not only businesses but the communities around them,” said Assemblyman Danielsen, Chair of the Public Safety and Preparedness Committee (D-Middlesex, Somerset). “This legislation would give law enforcement the tools they need to fight this growing threat, ensuring all New Jerseyans feel safe and protected.”
The bill introduces several provisions aimed at deterring criminal activity while protecting businesses, employees, and consumers. These include measures such as:
- Establishing that assaulting an employee of a retail business is an aggravated assault, which could be charged as a third- or fourth-degree crime, depending on the severity of injuries;
- Upgrading the charge of being a leader of an organized retail theft enterprise to a first-degree crime and increasing the penalty for failure to pay taxes as the leader of said enterprise to a second-degree crime;
- Extending terms of imprisonment for repeat offenders who have been convicted multiple times of retail theft.
“As businesses try to combat the growing challenge of retail theft, they are often diverting resources to maintain security, impacting their bottom line and reducing their ability to invest in their local community,” said Assemblywoman Simmons (D-Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland). “These measures send a strong message to those responsible for retail theft: New Jersey is committed to protecting businesses, consumers, and retail employees, and we will ensure that those involved in the crimes face the full force of the law.”
The bill would also task the Attorney General, in consultation with the Director of the Division of Criminal Justice, with establishing an organized retail theft unit that could investigate and prosecute cases concerning acts of retail theft. The unit would also be authorized to assist county prosecutors in the investigation and prosecution of acts of retail theft.
“What we really want to do with this legislation, our intent is to dismantle the heads of these [organized crime rings],” said Mary Ellen Peppard, Vice President of the New Jersey Food Council, who testified in favor of the bill. “It’s not about petty shoplifters, it’s not about someone that has financial insecurity, it’s about the heads of these rings.”
