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Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney has announced the positive outcomes of the Retail Protection Partnership, launched in October 2023 to tackle rising rates of retail theft in New York State. In response to increased shoplifting incidents, the initiative promotes collaboration between law enforcement and retailers to identify and prosecute habitual offenders. Contrary to the general rise in shoplifting nationwide, reported larcenies in Suffolk County decreased since the program's initiation.
Tierney emphasized the partnership's goal of protecting local businesses and the community from the negative impacts of retail theft, which he views as detrimental to jobs and local economies. Law enforcement and major retailers, including CVS and Target, are participating in the initiative, sharing information to dismantle organized retail crime networks.
The partnership has implemented strategies to bolster prosecutions, such as aggregating multiple theft charges into a single felony charge, leading to significant sentences for repeat offenders. For example, some offenders received sentences ranging from one year to three years in prison for felony grand larceny. The program has successfully prosecuted many top recidivist shoplifters, with nearly half of these cases already adjudicated.
Overall, the Retail Protection Partnership aims to create a more significant deterrent against retail theft in Suffolk County by enforcing stricter laws and fostering collaboration between law enforcement and retailers. Retailers interested in the partnership can contact the District Attorney’s Office for more information.
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