New Philadelphia DA's Office task force targets organized retail and house theft
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A new task force launched in Philadelphia on Monday as part of the city's commitment to improve safety.
"It's a popular store," said Michael Motley, who works at DTLR on Lancaster Avenue in West Philadelphia.
But with popularity comes a lot of unwanted attention. Attention that Motley said can sometimes come from the wrong people.
"People come in here, try to run in here and grab stuff," he said.
Motley said he recently had to chase down a shoplifter who tried to get away with $200 worth of merchandise.
"We got a lot of popular stuff. We got Nike. I mean, some people can't afford it," Motley said. "You know, the economy is crazy right now."
Director of Operations and Corridor Manager for LA21, Jackie Williams, said pharmacies and phone retailers are increasingly becoming targets for thieves. LA21 is an organization that supports businesses along Lancaster Avenue.
Williams said in order to get in front of the retail theft problem, she and other businesses worked to install security cameras in the area.
"We're just in a different time," Williams said. "It just seems to be retail theft is a way to make money."
According to Philadelphia police, retail theft has gotten worse over the last couple of years. The latest numbers showed a 27% increase in 2023 compared to 2022.
"Retail theft was a real problem last year. It's something we need to address," Krasner said in a news conference Monday.
Which is why Krasner announced the launch of a new task force dedicated to taking down retail thieves.
Law enforcement officials will among many things, focus on prolific or repeat offenders, and fencing operations where people steal and then resell the merchandise online.
Police will also conduct business corridor safety checks.
"So we are placing a new effort in motion to work with communities to come up with better solutions to deal with retail theft," Krasner said.
For Motley, he said the task force is needed to protect not only himself, but customers as well.
"I think it's a good thing. We need it," he said.
Krasner said the DA's office will start holding community meetings where business owners and members of the community and will get the chance meet with law enforcement personnel who are a part of the task force.
The first one will be on the Feb. 26 and the others will be announced in the weeks and months to come.
