Commission adopts retail-theft report, urges better statewide data collection

The Little Hoover Commission adopted a staff draft report on retail theft during its May 23 business meeting, instructing staff to refine language and expand the research funding recommendation to include the University of California, California State University, community colleges or other nonpartisan research institutions.

The report summarizes hearings and submissions from retailers, law enforcement, prosecutors, local officials and researchers. Staff noted that while some measures of retail crime rose in 2022, long-term comparisons are hampered by data gaps and inconsistent reporting. The commission recommended that the California Department of Justice expand its criminal justice portal to collect standardized, anonymized incident-level data including law enforcement response, demographic indicators, prosecution outcomes and rehabilitation efforts.

Staff also recommended the state fund in-depth, peer-reviewed studies on prevention measures, commercial victimization rates, economic impacts on businesses and communities, drivers of public perception and the mechanisms used to fence and resell stolen goods. Commissioners directed staff to broaden the description of eligible institutions and to refine language about trend comparisons to reflect data ambiguities.

The commission adopted the minutes from March 28, 2024 by roll call and directed staff to make the final retail-theft report available after vice chair review and wordsmithing.

Next steps include staff revisions to the draft and publication of the final report with a link to the hearing record and materials.