SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Beginning January 1, 2025, more than a half a dozen new laws take effect in California, empowering police and prosecutors to crack down on retail theft.
San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said she welcomes the legislation, but pointed out that “it is not one that works alone, and it can’t provide a solution to the massive retail theft issue that has caused our businesses to close.”
Walmart testing body cameras for some in-store employees
For instance, AB 1960 raises jail sentences for individuals who steal or damage property valued over $50,000. SB 1416 mandates enhanced sentencing for large-scale property resale operations. There’s also AB 2943, which allows multiple thefts that occur within a specific time frame to be grouped together and treated as a single felony offense, making it easier to prosecute organized retail theft.
In some cases, these laws will work in tandem with Proposition 36, which targets repeat offenders specifically.