There are ongoing reports of rising robbery rates, and because of this, many stores all across New York City have had to close. This is changing New York City in an extreme way. Some stores are locking up everything from coffee to deodorant. Theft impacts everybody; not just stores but even malls are shutting down. Reports of sticky bandits have been creeping up each year since 2006, according to the New York Post.
The New York Post stated in its August 2025 online article that “The Big Apple has become a shoplifter’s paradise.” Usually, when the police get to the crime scene, the thief is gone. Although theft dipped during the pandemic, it quickly rebounded. There were a high number of complaints that in 2024, 64,000 thefts had occurred and only 34 percent resulted in an arrest.
Common items stolen are health and beauty products due to their value and small size. Others include baby products, household goods, and alcohol. But it doesn’t stop there—clothing, electronics, and deli meats are also frequently stolen. Over-the-counter medications, including allergy medicine and pain relievers, are among the most common stolen products. Even batteries often disappear from the shelves unnoticed.
Since business owners are boosting security measures, this money has to come from somewhere. That somewhere is the products that we, the consumers, buy. Now that stores have better security, it increases the cost of our everyday purchases. When stores lose items to theft, store owners have to increase the prices of other products. We pay more for products because of the thieves’ deeds. People now go on Amazon and Temu to pay a lower price for the same everyday items.
On the official website of New York State, Governor Hochul stated that “Retail theft and quality-of-life crimes impact more than just the businesses who experience them — they impact entire neighborhoods. That is why I dedicated tremendous resources last year to fight the scourge of organized retail crime.” Governor Hochul added, “While today’s numbers represent significant progress in the fight against retail theft, we will not back down. I remain committed to supporting our businesses and their workers to restore a sense of security and peace of mind for shoppers and store owners alike.”
It seems Governor Hochul is determined to fight against theft. Although the real question is: Do you think shoplifting is impacting us or the business owners more?
