Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Norfolk council adopts local ordinance adding new retail-theft offense and signals diversion focus
Summary
The City Council adopted an ordinance creating a new section (29-11) of the Norfolk City Code targeting concealing or taking possession of merchandise and related acts; council members emphasized tools for small businesses and said they will pursue diversion and restorative options to avoid criminalizing poverty.
Norfolk City Council on May 20 adopted an ordinance amending Section 29 of the Norfolk City Code to add a new Section 29-11 defining and criminalizing certain forms of retail theft, including concealing merchandise, altering price tags and “counseling” others to commit such acts.
The measure passed on a recorded voice vote with Councilmembers Clanton, Doyle, Johnson, McGee, Page, Smigiel, Thomas and Mayor Alexander voting aye. Councilmembers framed the ordinance as a local enforcement tool for retailers and neighborhood businesses while raising concerns about disproportionate impacts on…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
