LONG ISLAND — As retail theft continues to climb, state leaders are pushing for more policing, and tax credits for businesses that improve safety.
Organized shoplifting is costing businesses billions, and creating anxiety and fear for customers and store owners.
Tariq Kahn has been in the retail business on Long Island for 45 years.
“I have never seen it as bad as we have seen for the last several months,” Kahn said.
Kahn owns and operates several convenience stores and has witnessed the smashing, grabbing and fleeing.
“Retailer is just open game. Walk away with anything. No one is going to challenge,” Kahn said.
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Statewide, retailers lost $4.5 billion last year. The cost was passed on to the consumer, said Matt Cohen, president and CEO of the Long Island Association.
“Simple shoplifting has really graduated to organized, sophisticated crimes. It’s like the Wild Wild West out there,” Cohen said.
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