‘More Big Brother,’ cry shoppers of new anti-theft crackdown as Walmart & Target plagued by crime – they fear ‘abuse’
THE New York City mayor announced a program on Thursday which would allow police to tap into the security footage of stores such as Walmart and Target.
Mayor Eric Adams shared that the program, which is still in its pilot stage, would be used to gather “real-time intelligence.”
The brand-new program would allow the NYPD to monitor shoplifting in real-timeCBS
The massive price tag on the brand-new security measure will go toward installing 15,000 new cameras over the next yearCBS
“The prerequisite to prosperity is public safety,” Adams said at a press conference per CBS.
“Anything that erodes that feeling of safety is going to get in the way … and nothing erodes it more than going into your local store, and you have to call someone to unlock the toothpaste, unlock the hair shampoo when I had hair, unlock all of the items that we have.”
He added: “New York is saying we’re not sitting back and throwing up our hands —that’s a signal of urban surrender.”
“We refuse to surrender to any form of criminality. We’re not going to allow shoplifters and organized crime rings to prey on businesses.”
Adam’s program, which would reportedly cost New York City a whopping $1.5 million, is currently still in its voluntary phase.
The massive price tag on the brand-new security measure will go toward installing 15,000 new cameras over the next year.
Money will also go toward installing devices that will link up to the NYPD.
Commissioner Edward Caban greeted the program with open arms.
“It launched more efficient investigations, build stronger cases and leads to more effective prosecutions,” Caban said to the outlet.
The announcement was met with enthusiasm by one small business store owner.
“The stealing is too much for us to deal with,” Jonathan Nii told CBS. “Almost every day.”
Nii later added that he was very excited to enroll in the program.
“More Big Brother,” one fan cheered on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
Despite the praise the program received, several slammed the brand-new initiative.
Anti-theft measures rolled out by retailers
Retailers across the US and Canada have rolled out strategies designed to combat theft. The U.S. Sun has compiled a list of measures that have been implemented at stores.
Locking items in cabinets.
Security pegs.
Security cameras.
Signs warning about the impact of theft.
Receipt scanners.
Receipt checks.
Carts with locking technology
“It’s beginning to look alot like China, everywhere you look,” one user sneered.
“Good in theory put it to the test and it won’t work,” a second person said.
“That’s Big Brother watching. Biggest police force in the world and the National Guard deployed and still no control of NYC,” a third person seethed.
Adams’ brand-new initiative comes as theft in retail stores continues to spike in New York City.
Between 2017 and 2023, larceny rose by 51%, Chain Store Age, a retail-focused website reported.
During the same period, robberies, grand larceny, and petit larceny in the city also jumped a staggering 86%.
Adams also touted that New York’s finest made 25,480 retail theft arrests last year – a third of which were committed by repeat offenders.
Between 2017 and 2023, larceny rose by 51%, Chain Store Age, a retail-focused website reportedCBS
During the same period, robberies, grand larceny, and petit larceny in the city also jumped a staggering 86%CBS
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