While California lawmakers have introduced proposals that, if approved, will reform existing commercial burglary statutes, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer is tackling the issue in a different way.

“I have launched a multi-County advertising campaign on billboards coming in and out of Orange County on buses in Los Angeles and Long Beach through text messages set on cell phones throughout Southern California and even on bumper stickers to send a strong message to thieves,” he said.

Public Policy Institute of California data shows that Retail Theft increased statewide by 16% from 2019 to 2022.

In Orange County specifically, Mr. Spitzer has determined that a significant number of defendants come to Orange County from Los Angeles, Riverside, and other surrounding counties with the sole purpose of committing residential burglaries, robberies, smash and grabs, and commercial burglaries.

Orange County’s Strict Stance on Retail Theft

“We’re throwing the book at criminals who come here to steal,” Spitzer said in a YouTube video (embedded below).

Federal asset forfeiture money is being used to pay for the advertising space on static and electronic billboards on major freeways coming into Orange County from Los Angeles and Riverside counties.
Other billboards with the same messaging are located throughout the county, including a billboard at the Outlets.

“Every jurisdiction these days in California ought to be carefully scrutinizing their local budgets and dedicating as much as they are able, without affecting other important basic services and needs, to local law enforcement, local district attorneys, sheriffs, and security personnel to protect businesses,” National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) state director John Kabateck said.

Spitzer, who is aiming to reach more than 38 million people in four weeks, is also advertising on mass transit in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Norwalk, and Glendale as well as with bumper stickers, and cell phone advertising.

The message is: Crime doesn’t pay in Orange County. If you steal, we prosecute. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

“There is nothing more important than public safety,” Spitzer added. “When the risk is far less than the reward, it’s no surprise that criminals are committing smash and grabs, residential burglaries, and simply walking out the front door of stores with arms full of stolen merchandise. While you’re standing in line waiting to pay for your items.”

Big Retailers Support Updating Prop 47

In response to the rising tide of retail theft, Walmart and Target are reportedly funding a proposed ballot measure that will update Proposition 47 (Prop 47).

That’s the same ballot measure that California lawmakers want to use to reform current laws.

“A number of new bills have been introduced to address retail theft and we hope that will be the case but at the end of the day, the only way we can really do this is to fix Prop 47 and take this to the people,” Kabateck told OrangeCountyLawyers.com.

Also known as the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act, Prop 47 is a referendum that was approved by voters in 2014.

Co-authored by Los Angeles District County Attorney George Gascón, Prop 47 reduced some drug and theft crimes from felonies to misdemeanors.

Related Stories:

• George Gascón fails to apply for $2M California grant to help prosecute retail theft
• Orange County DA Todd Spitzer charges 141 Defendants for robbery, home invasion & burglary
• OC Sheriff warns of increased shoplifting

“We’re terribly scared that history will repeat itself,” Kabateck said. “There were more than 15 bipartisan bills addressing retail theft in 2022 and many included accountability and diversion programs but not one of them made it out of public safety committee.”

Last year, there were ten bipartisan bills addressing retail theft and none moved forward as well.

“We have policy makers who are completely tone deaf to the struggles of small businesses in California,” Kabateck added. “They’re talking a good talk about fixing retail theft this year but time will tell.”

Photo courtesy of OC District Attorney Youtube video screengrab

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