Gov. Kathy Hochul plans to pump $40M into war against shoplifting with more than half going to NY state police

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget plan unveiled Tuesday devotes $40 million to wage war against shoplifters — with more than half going to the New York State Police. Hochul’s executive budget for the 2025 fiscal year also provides $10 million to boost security around Jewish and other faith based institutions amid a rise in hate crimes, including antisemitism , since war in the Middle East broke out in October.

The governor’s retail theft fighting plan steers $25.2 million in new funding to the state police, $10 million to district attorneys and $5 million to local law enforcement. The package also offers a $3,000 tax credit for shop owners that spend more than $12,000 in yearly security expenses — capped at $5 million total in the budget.

One advocate for merchants called Hochul’s proposal only a “half step” — noting that it fails to boost criminal penalties to deter serial shoplifters. More funding also should be dedicated to local cops and DAs, rather than the state police that have little to do with street crime in New York City and other localities, said Nelson Eusabio, a leader with National Supermarket Association and the Collective Action to Protect Our Stores (CAP) coalition.

“We’d like to see more money go to local police forces. I don’t see state troopers dealing with shoplifting in local communities. She’s going in the wrong direction,” said Eusabio. “We want tougher penalties to deter serial shoplifters. What I see here is a half a step,” he added. CAP backs legislation not included in the governor’s budget plan that would charge serial shoplifters with fourth degree grand larceny — a Class E felony that could land a suspect behind bars on bail.

Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon said he was “grateful” that Hochul called for extra funding for local prosecutors, but called on the state Legislature to enact stricter laws targetting shoplifters. “As Staten Island’s chief law enforcement officer, my office will continue to prosecute these shoplifting criminals but the Governor’s initiatives will certainly help,” said McMahon in a statement to The Post.

“In the meantime, we also hope that the legislature will make meaningful changes to our laws which will allow us to hold these thieves fully accountable.” Hochul first said she would make curbing retail theft a priority in last week’s 2024 State of the State address. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D Bronx) was not wowed by the emphasis on shoplifting.

“Something needs to be figured out about retail crime, but retail crime is a problem everywhere in the country. We keep trying to come up with a New York solution for a national problem,” said Heastie. The $233 billion executive budget also increases funding for the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes program to $35 million.

The $10 million in grants increase safety and security funds to synagogues and yeshivas and other religious institutions. In addition, Hochul boosts spending for gun violence initiatives by $50 million to $347 million. Her public safety agenda includes $40.8 million to deter assaults, particularly domestic violence — allotting most of the funding to district attorney’s offices.

“The executive budget includes targeted public safety investments to keep New Yorkers safe and improve quality of life. These investments are focused on specific categories of crime, including property theft and domestic violence,” said Hochul. “This comprehensive public safety funding plan builds on historic investments in proven gun violence prevention programs and the criminal justice system.” The governor also focuses her attention on helping get serious or violent mentally ill individuals off the street amid complaints of deranged people committing crimes in the subway and elsewhere.

That’s also been a top priority of Mayor Eric Adams. Hochul announced more support to aid individuals with mental illness — including $6.2 million to increase staffing in mental health courts, $2.8 million to provide more housing for the mentally ill homeless, $9.6 million to expand community treatment teams, and $187,000 crisis intervention training of law enforcement and others in contact with mentally ill individuals.

Her spending plan also includes funding to open another 125 State operated inpatient psychiatric beds. Hochul’s public safety plan also includes $6.1 million to better supervise and help convicts released re integrate into society and curb recidivism. Of that total, $3 million is earmarked for “intensive supervision” of parolees..