NYC Chambers of Commerce join store owners’ push to increase penalties for shoplifters

Five leading New York City chambers of commerce are joining retail workers and store owners in calling on lawmakers to pass a trio of bills that would increase penalties for shoplifters.

The measure upping penalties for assault, sponsored by Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-Staten Island) and Assemblyman Manny De Los Santos (D-Manhattan), would make an attack on a retail worker a Class D felony, meaning judges would be able to impose bail on suspects.

The bill thus would put assaults on store workers in the same category as assaults on cops, firefighters, livery drivers and MTA employees.

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