A news release from Pennsylvania courts indicates retail theft has risen 53% between 2021 and 2023. While this crime is usually associated with high school kids, the data show that 29% of all offenders are between 26 and 35 years old.
Whether this is a national trend sparked by inflation is unknown. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, shoplifting has increased dramatically in New York City and Los Angeles but has actually declined over the past four years across 24 cities.
Increases are highest in Allegheny (13%), Montgomery (9%) and Philadelphia (6%) counties.
How about here in the Lehigh Valley. Lehigh County has seen a 2.6% increase while NorCo is only half that at 1.34%.
The data do not distinguish between organized retail theft and shoplifting of small items by individuals for personal gain.
I personally know two people who have some sort of compulsion to steal small items of little value. One of them has been jailed numerous times. It hasn't helped. Nor have visits to a psychologist.
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