Shoplifting

President Donald Trump is a generational political talent, and nothing should detract from his historic comeback win Tuesday. But those who believe the election was all about Trump and his charisma should pay attention to the outcomes of ballot measures, which reveal an electorate that rejects the leftward lurch of the era initiated and presided over by President Barack Obama. There is a clear signal of a desire to return to better, more conservative policy.

California voters decided on 10 ballot measures including one that would turn some nonviolent crimes, like shoplifting, into felonies again, and another that would make the state’s minimum wage the highest in the nation.

Here’s a look at some of the most consequential propositions put before voters:

Shoplifting has soared in the U.S. in 2024, forcing many stores to leave cities and continuing a trend in recent years.

Shoplifting has risen 24% in the first half of 2024 alone, according to newly released data from the Council on Criminal Justice.

The White House cited the CCJ’s data to boast a drop in violent crime so far this year, but a closer look at the data showed that while violent crime has declined, shoplifting continues to rise. CCJ studied 23 U.S. cities.

Supermarket giant Kroger is spearheading a novel approach to fighting theft and errors at self-checkout lanes by deploying AI and camera technology, sparking a debate on customer experience, ethics, and privacy even as prominent chains dealing with massive shoplifting problems carefully watch how technology contributes to solving the problem.

Target said Tuesday that it will close nine stores in major cities across the country, citing violence, theft and organized retail crime.

The company will close one store in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood, two locations in Seattle, three stores in the San Francisco-Oakland area and three more in Portland, Oregon. The discounter said it will shutter the stores for good on Oct. 21.

Target announced Tuesday that it is closing a number of its shops in blue cities, citing theft and violence concerns to its clientele and employees in those areas.

Target’s press release announced that nine of its stores in Portland, San Francisco/Oakland, Seattle, and New York City will be closing effective Oct. 21 due to organized theft and violence threatening employee and “guest safety.” Target stated that “all eligible team members will be offered the opportunity to transfer to other Target locations.” 

Target is closing nine stores in major cities across four states, claiming theft and organized retail crime have made the environment unsafe for staff and customers – and unsustainable for business.

The big box chain is part of a wave of retailers – both large and small – that say they’re struggling to contain store crimes that have hurt their bottom lines. Many have closed stores or made changes to merchandise and layouts.

Ohio cops released bodycam footage Friday showing an officer fatally shooting a pregnant mom of two when the suspected shoplifter refused to leave her car and accelerated toward him.

The video shows that just before Ta’Kiya Young, 21, of Columbus was shot in her black sedan outside a Kroger in Blendon Township on Aug. 24, officers repeatedly barked for her to “get out of the car!”

When Young asked why she was being told to exit her vehicle, which was in a handicap spot, she was told, “They said you stole stuff, do not leave.”

Police in Ohio have released bodycam footage showing an officer fatally shooting a pregnant black woman.

Ta'Kiya Young, 21, died on 24 August when she was shot while in her car outside a Kroger grocery store in Blendon Township, a suburb of Columbus.

Footage shows officers attempting to question her for alleged shoplifting.

One officer standing in front of her car is seen in the video released on Friday firing directly towards her as she appears to drive in his direction.