Yonkers Mayor Spano & Yonkers Police Department Unveil Initiative to Combat Shoplifting at Local Retail Stores
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~ Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza have announced a new initiative to combat the recent increase in shoplifting and property crimes in the City of Yonkers. Reported shoplifting incidents have doubled year over year, and total property crimes have increased by 10%.

Mayor Spano said, "Our obligation is to serve and protect our businesses and their customers, and with the precision approach by our police department to these offenses, we can drive out these criminals. These thieves are looking at shoplifting as a sport, but we want them to know – it's game over when they get to Yonkers."

The Yonkers Police Department has deployed a multi-unit approach to target these crimes, especially for those occurring at some of the City's hot spots along Central Park Avenue. This includes directed patrols for major box stores, plain clothes officers posted in major retail parking lots to intercept offenders, identifying top offenders and recidivists, increasing deployment of foot patrols along highly-trafficked shopping centers and recently burglarized businesses, working closely with the Westchester County District Attorney's Office for case enhancement and heightened prosecution, elevating the priority level of calls for service regarding shoplifting-in-progress to expedite police response, following up on uncleared incidents focusing on suspected recidivists, meeting with businesses and retailers offering guidance for target-hardening crime prevention awareness, and ensuring cooperation with reporting and prosecution.

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Police Commissioner Sapienza said "Shoplifters and thieves beware – stay out of Yonkers. You will get arrested for your crimes and we will do everything in our power to hold you accountable to the full extent of the law. There is no such thing as a victimless crime and the Yonkers Police will not allow criminals to degrade the quality-of-life in our fair City." He also noted that many of the perpetrators are shoplifting recidivists who continue to be released into the community to reoffend. The City's top three shoplifting recidivists have been charged 14 times collectively since December 2022 for misdemeanors or felonies in Yonkers and surrounding municipalities.

Mayor Spano commented that "We need a commitment from our local businesses. We want to keep them in Yonkers and thrive here, so their partnership in charging those who commit crimes in their stores is the first step in stemming this tide." From December 2022 to February 2023 there were 162 reported shoplifting incidents in the City of Yonkers; however many more incidents are not reported by local retailers.

To report a crime in progress call 9-1-1 or submit an anonymous tip online at www.yonkersny.gov/ypd or text keyword 'YPD' plus tip information to CRIMES (274637).

In an effort to address an increase in shoplifting incidents among big box retail stores within its jurisdiction, The City of Yonkers has implemented a multi-unit approach led by Mayor Mike Spano alongside Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza. Year over year reported shoplifting incidents have doubled while total property crimes have increased 10%.

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The initiative includes directed patrols for major box stores; plain clothes officers posted in major retail parking lots; identifying top offenders; increasing deployment of foot patrols along highly trafficked shopping centers; working closely with Westchester County District Attorney's Office; elevating priority level of calls regarding shoplifting-in-progress; following up on uncleared incidents focusing on suspected recidivists; meeting with businesses offering guidance for target hardening crime prevention awareness; ensuring cooperation with reporting & prosecution & more.

Commissioner Sapienza warned potential criminals that "Shoplifters & thieves beware - stay out of Yonkers." He noted that many perpetrators are repeat offenders who continue being released into community only reoffend again & again - The City's top 3 shoplifters having been charged 14 times collectively since December 2022 alone! Mayor Spano added that "We need a commitment from our local businesses" & urged them partner up with police charging those committing crimes within their stores as first step towards stemming this tide! From December 2022 till February 2023 there were 162 reported cases though many more remain unreported by local retailers! To report any crime call 9-1-1 or submit anonymous tip online/text keyword 'YPD' plus tip information!

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