New York – Mayor Eric Adams says the NYPD will do more to crack down on shoplifting.
In the Bronx, several retail associations, including the Fordham Road Business Improvement District, have been forced to hire private security guards.
Fordham Road is one of the city’s busiest shopping precincts, and Pretty Girl and other retailers are grappling with the thorny problem of a surge in shoplifting.
“They come in, take what they want, they can’t touch it, they can’t do anything. By the time the police came and they got to the store, they were gone,” said store manager Sonia Singh. said.
The American Eagle store right next door closed a few months ago. A district councilor said retail store theft was a contributing factor.
Today, the Fordham Road Business Improvement District has launched the Patrol Ambassador Program, hiring five licensed security guards to add eyes and ears to the retail district and deter shoplifting.
“As business people, we need to be proactive about this,” said Lisa Sorin. “That’s what BID is doing, and I honestly don’t blame BID.”
Sorin, president of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, says shoplifting is really hurting already struggling family businesses.
“They want to give up. They feel there is no real solution to this problem,” Sorin said.
Thursday, at his state addressAdams said he knows shoplifting is a big problem and that help is on the way.
“The New York Police Department’s crime prevention division will focus on retail theft,” Adams said, promising a major push to reduce shoplifting.
This includes targeting organized crew members who steal items. Items may also be resold on the streets near the robbed store.
“If it helps, of course. Anything that helps,” Singh said.
Shoplifting has always been a problem. According to the NYPD, he is now at levels not seen in 20 years.
Tony Aiello
