Garbarino Cosponsors Bill to Fight Retail Crime

Washington, D.C. –  Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY-02) joined with Congresswoman Young Kim (R-CA-40) to introduce H.R. 316 - The Improving Federal Investigations of Organized Retail Crime Act, a bipartisan bill to help address organized retail crimes hurting retailers and endangering public safety. Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19) and Maria Salazar (R-FL-27) also signed on as original cosponsors of the legislation. 

“Businesses throughout Long Island and NYC were plagued by smash and grab robberies and other retail crime over the last several months,” said Rep. Garbarino. “Retail crimes not only greatly impact the livelihoods of businesses owners big and small, but can also lead to additional crime such as the sale of stolen goods on black markets to fund drug and human trafficking crimes. Federal law enforcement needs the tools and authority to collaborate with all law enforcement agencies, coordinate a response, and execute a plan of action to thwart these organized criminal efforts. I’m proud to be a cosponsor of the Improving Federal Investigations of Organized Retail Crime Act which would empower federal law enforcement to do just that, and I thank Congresswoman Kim for leading this effort.”

“In my district, we see businesses victimized by organized retail crime nearly every week. This cannot become our new normal,” said Rep. Kim. “I am proud to lead the Improving Federal Investigations of Organized Retail Crime Act to boost information sharing between the federal government, state and local law enforcement and entities to address organized retail crime and hold these criminal networks accountable. I will always work hard to protect our Southern California communities and to promote a safe environment for entrepreneurs to operate, grow their enterprises and create jobs.”  

The Improving Federal Investigations of Organized Retail Crime Act directs the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Postal Service and other relevant agencies to create a cohesive strategy and reporting to Congress on how the federal government can:  

• Improve coordination and information sharing among federal law enforcement agencies;  
• Increase collaboration with retailers, organized retail crime associations and state-run retail crime taskforces; and,  
• Assist state and local authorities in compiling evidence for the prosecution of organized retail crime. 

Read the bill text HERE.  

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