Bills Target Online Marketplaces, Organized Crime, and Repeat Offenders
In a move designed to address rising concerns about retail theft and auto crime, the California Senate passed a comprehensive package of 15 bills on Wednesday. The legislation, which enjoys bipartisan support, aims to crack down on organized crime rings, expand drug court programs, and close legal loopholes that hinder auto theft prosecution.
Focus on Online Marketplaces and Verification
One key proposal requires major online retailers like eBay and Amazon to verify the identities of sellers who generate at least $5,000 in annual profits. This measure seeks to disrupt the online sale of stolen goods, a growing problem for California businesses.
Assembly Measures Target Repeat Offenders and Data Sharing
The California Assembly has also proposed additional measures to combat retail theft. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas’ bill targets professional theft rings by allowing law enforcement to combine the value of stolen goods from multiple victims to impose harsher penalties. Additionally, the bill would permit arrests based on video footage or witness statements, establish a new crime for selling or returning stolen goods, and mandate record-keeping by online sellers to prove merchandise legitimacy. Furthermore, some retail businesses would be required to report stolen goods data.
Tackling Cargo Theft and Empowering Law Enforcement
The legislation also includes proposals to address cargo theft, reinstate district attorney authority to pursue cross-jurisdictional theft rings, and allow retailers to obtain restraining orders against repeat shoplifters.
Bills Move to Assembly with Potential Ballot Initiative Looming
With passage by the Senate, all 15 bills now head to the Assembly for consideration. If successful there, they will reach Governor Newsom’s desk by June. This legislative action comes as major retailers and local businesses continue to grapple with rampant theft. In response, a growing number of law enforcement officials, district attorneys, and some Democratic lawmakers are advocating for a wider range of solutions, including potentially weakening Proposition 47, a 2014 ballot measure that reduced penalties for certain thefts. A coalition supporting a rollback of Proposition 47 recently submitted signatures to place the issue on the November ballot, and those signatures are currently undergoing verification.
