San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, alongside California Highway Patrol Commissioner Sean Duryee and Los Angeles County Assistant Sheriff Holly Francisco, unveiled plans for a targeted approach to combat organized retail theft in a recent virtual press conference.
This holiday season, San Francisco shoppers can anticipate a robust crackdown on organized retail theft, with heightened law enforcement presence and strategic initiatives aimed at curbing these incidents
Jenkins emphasized that a surge in uniformed police officers from the CHP and the San Francisco Police Department will patrol high-traffic retail zones such as the Union Square corridor. This proactive measure aims to dissuade potential thieves and create a safer shopping atmosphere. “Law enforcement mates, including the CHP, sheriff’s department, and others, will be out in full force to seize those involved in organized retail theft,” Jenkins asserted.
With a $17 million state grant, Jenkins highlighted the allocation of resources toward a specialized prosecution team dedicated to investigating organized retail theft. This team will meticulously trace stolen goods, identify repeat offenders, and uncover the orchestrators behind large-scale theft operations. The grant will also facilitate increased foot patrols by San Francisco PD officers.
Duryee echoed the gravity of organized retail theft, addressing concerns from brazen thefts to sophisticated crime rings. The holiday crackdown will mobilize both uniformed and undercover officers to address this issue.
Francisco stressed the necessity of statewide collaboration, as perpetrators often operate across multiple jurisdictions
Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2019 initiative, the CHP Organized Retail Crime Task Force, has already yielded over 1,500 arrests and the recovery of $33 million in merchandise. Newsom emphasized a zero-tolerance approach, stating that retail thieves should be promptly arrested.
Jenkins and Duryee advised against direct intervention in theft situations but encouraged the public to assist law enforcement by providing eyewitness accounts. This concerted effort aims to deter organized retail theft and safeguard the holiday shopping experience for San Francisco residents.
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