From desperation to ‘kicks.’ D.A. details Staten Island shoplifting trend, how he’s cracking down

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — While the Island’s retail landscape is brimming with places to purchase what locals are looking for, it likely wasn’t taken into consideration that residents from throughout the city and upstate would be trekking out to the borough to hone their shoplifting skills.

With there being a post-pandemic surge in shoplifting throughout the state, one bill, which was written by state Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-North Shore/South Brooklyn), elevated the assault of a retail worker to a Class E felony, making the crime punishable by up to four years in prison — the same sentence as if a police officer, bus driver, nurse, teacher, sanitation worker or district attorney were to be attacked which is considered a Class C felony.

“As we’ve been saying for quite some time now, no one should have to live in fear of being assaulted when they go to work,” Scarcella-Spanton said at the time. “Especially our deli owners right here on Staten Island — who have non-traditional hours, who a lot of times work 24/7 — and we’ve heard these reports time and time again. I’m really proud to get this done.”

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