SAN JOSE— On Friday, Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) joined Governor Gavin Newsom, Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas), legislative colleagues, and state and local leaders as groundbreaking legislation to combat retail theft and local crime was signed into law.
“Californians have been calling on state leaders to take action on retail crime. And today, we’re doing just that. A promise was made by the Legislature and the Governor earlier this year to pass sweeping legislation to crack down on retail theft, blunt local crime, and stop professional criminals in their tracks,” said Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) during the press conference announcing the law. “…We’re going to give local law enforcement the tools they need to do their jobs in keeping retail establishments safe. We’re giving Californians the laws they rightfully deserve—and let’s be candid—have been asking for. The new laws that the Governor will be signing today will increase penalties, increase penalties on organized retail theft, advanced strategic enhancements on stolen goods, both online and in mom-and-pop shops in every corner of this state. And we’re closing gaps on loopholes for automobile theft.”
McGuire added, “Here’s the bottom line: Californians can breathe a sigh of relief now that these laws are in place. But we also know that we have to remain vigilant—there’s much more work to do. We have to continue to invest in the public’s safety. That’s why—working with the Governor—the Senate and the Assembly invested $1.1 billion dollars since 2019 to tackle crime, higher more law enforcement, and to dispatch CHP to target local crime hot spots in each and every community. So mark my word, there’s much more to come.”
“Let’s be clear, this is the most significant legislation to address property crime in modern California history,” noted Newsom. “I thank the bipartisan group of lawmakers, our retail partners, and advocates for putting public safety over politics. While some try to take us back to ineffective and costly policies of the past, these new laws present a better way forward — making our communities safer and providing meaningful tools to help law enforcement arrest criminals and hold them accountable.”
“California’s hard-working business owners asked for our help, and today we are delivering thoughtful, balanced new laws that will protect their livelihoods, workers and customers,” said Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas. “To those who brazenly harass and shoplift from our stores: Accountability is here. I’m deeply proud of my colleagues for taking on this crucial public-safety issue, and I thank Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur, the Governor, Pro Tem and Attorney General for their dedication and leadership. In California, we keep each other safe and get the job done.”
“I am grateful to the Governor for signing this landmark legislative package and to Speaker Rivas for making retail theft a priority,” said Select Committee on Retail Theft chair, Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur. “This legislation directly benefits Californians by addressing the urgent issue of retail crime, which impacts shoppers, business owners, and workers across our state. Many constituents have expressed concerns about local retailers closing, job losses, and safety. By working together with various stakeholders, we crafted a balanced solution that disrupts retail crime rings while maintaining crucial criminal justice reforms. This law is a significant step toward making our communities safer and stronger.”
Lawmakers said these laws offer new tools to bolster ongoing efforts to hold criminals accountable for smash-and-grab robberies, property crime, retail theft, and auto burglaries. While California’s crime rate remains near historic lows, these laws help California adapt to evolving criminal tactics to ensure perpetrators are effectively held accountable.
California law provides existing robust tools for law enforcement and prosecutors to arrest and charge suspects involved in organized retail crime — including up to three years of jail time for organized retail theft. The state has the 10th toughest threshold nationally for prosecutors to charge suspects with a felony, $950. 40 other states — including Texas ($2,500), Alabama ($1,500), and Mississippi ($1,000) — require higher dollar amounts for suspects to be charged with a felony.
Local support to fight organized retail crime
According to data provided by Gov. Newsom’s office, the state has invested $1.1 billion since 2019 to fight crime, help local governments hire more police, and improve public safety. Today’s action builds on the Governor’s Real Public Safety Plan – which focuses on strengthening local law enforcement response, ensuring perpetrators are held accountable, and getting guns and drugs off our streets, including by deployment of California Highway Patrol to hot spots including Oakland, Bakersfield, and San Francisco.
As part of the state’s largest-ever investment to combat organized retail crime, Newsom announced last year the state distributed $267 million to 55 communities to help local communities combat organized retail crime. These funds have enabled cities and counties to hire more police, make more arrests, and secure more felony charges against suspects.
Statewide efforts targeting retail theft and organized crime
Last year, the California Highway Patrol reported an annual 310% increase in proactive operations targeting organized retail crime, and specialoperations across the state to fight crime and improve public safety. And since January 2024, CHP’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force is on track to surpass the work in 2023, making 884 arrests and recovering more than a quarter of a million stolen goods valued at over $7.2 million.
