Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara has put forth a crucial piece of legislation in the New York State Assembly, aiming to bolster penalties for individuals with a history of committing petty larceny offenses. The bill specifically targets repeat offenders who have been convicted of petty larceny twice within a span of three months or three times within a year, treating these offenses as grand larceny in the fourth degree. (A.7882)

Addressing the pressing issue of repeat shoplifting, Assemblyman Santabarbara highlights the adverse impact it has on local businesses and law-abiding, hardworking families. He emphasizes the need for accountability and a deterrent against shoplifting, which has unfortunately seen an increase across the state in recent years.

"Repeat shoplifting is a significant concern affecting our community's businesses and burdening law-abiding families with higher prices," said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara. "This legislation ensures that repeat offenders are held accountable for their actions and, hopefully, serves as a strong deterrent against shoplifting in our state."

According to the New York Times, last year alone, nearly one-third of all shoplifting arrests in New York City were linked to a mere 327 individuals. The negative consequences of shoplifting have had a significant impact in the Schenectady area, where stores like Walgreens located at the intersection of Brandywine and Eastern Avenue in the City of Schenectady now must secure entire aisles of products behind locked glass cabinets.

"This bipartisan bill sends a resolute message that New York State will no longer tolerate a small number of individuals engaging in large-scale theft, disrupting our stores, and driving up costs for others," stated Assemblyman Santabarbara. "I am hopeful that this legislation will successfully pass both houses during the next session."

The proposed legislation has garnered support from both sides of the aisle and has been introduced in the New York State Senate by Senator Jake Ashby (R-Castleton).