Today, Governor Phil Murphy enacted a bipartisan legislation, masterminded by Senator Holly Schepisi, which aims to counter the escalating threat of organized retail crime by intensifying penalties for retail theft and empowering law enforcement.
Senator Schepisi shared insights into the necessity of the bill, stating, “The surge of organized retail crime has cost businesses billions, driven up prices for consumers, and has put employee’s safety at risk as they face growing threats of violence from organized theft rings.” She added that, especially in New Jersey, “stolen merchandise is swiftly sold for illicit gains. With the Governor’s signature, we can now impose tougher penalties to deter criminals and their theft organizations, and, most importantly, enhance protections for both retailers and their customers.”
This crime involves organized theft rings stealing large quantities of goods from retailers to resell them, a process known as fencing. Such crime often crosses state or even international boundaries, affecting businesses of all sizes.
The bill, S-3587, sponsored by Senator Schepisi, proposes changes to New Jersey’s laws regarding organized retail crime, the online sale of stolen goods, gift card fraud, and the assault of retail workers. One key provision allows prosecutors to combine shoplifting violations to determine the severity of offenses.
Gift card fraud has connections to organized crime activities in China and the distribution of fentanyl. The bill aims to combat these issues by enforcing stricter packaging and consumer notice regulations.
Schepisi emphasized the significance of addressing the issue for community safety. “At the heart of this issue is the safety of our communities. Retail employees shouldn’t have to fear for their safety, and shoppers deserve peace of mind that the products they buy are safe and haven’t been tampered with in any way,” she concluded.
The full text of the bill is available online.
