City of Philadelphia - File #: 230591

• File #: 230591
• Version: 0
• Type: Resolution
• Status: ADOPTED
• File created: 9/14/2023
• In control: CITY COUNCIL
• Final action: 9/14/2023
• Title: Authorizing the City Council Committee on Public Safety to hold public hearings examining "three strikes you're out laws" and to understand their potential impact on retail theft in Philadelphia.
• Sponsors: Councilmember Jones, Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, Councilmember Bass, Councilmember Driscoll, Councilmember Squilla, Councilmember Harrity, Councilmember Gauthier, Councilmember Lozada, Councilmember Thomas

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
9/14/2023	0	CITY COUNCIL
9/14/2023	0	CITY COUNCIL

Title
Authorizing the City Council Committee on Public Safety to hold public hearings examining "three strikes you're out laws" and to understand their potential impact on retail theft in Philadelphia.

Body
WHEREAS, "Three strikes you're out laws" are laws that allow for stricter punishments for repeated crimes. In addition, they can allow business owners to prohibit shoplifters from entering establishments they have previously stolen from; and

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia has been besieged by a relentless onslaught of shoplifting incidents that ravage not only businesses and their employees. This retail theft crisis has caused numerous businesses to move out of the neighborhoods they serve or out of the City all together; and

WHEREAS, New York City's "Merchants Business Improvement Plan" is an example of how similar programs can be effective. The Plan was collaboratively established with the involvement of the District Attorney's Office, the New York City Police Department, and the business community, with the explicit aim of addressing the reoccurring issue of repeat disorderly and unlawful conduct to businesses. A pilot program was launched back in June 2021 in Flushing, Jamaica, and Astoria; and

WHEREAS, This Plan is to discourage repeat unruly behavior and provide an alternative to the conventional criminal justice system for addressing such incidents. Under this program, merchants are empowered to promptly alert law enforcement upon encountering individuals who have engaged in unlawful and tumultuous behavior on their property. Responding officers then issue a trespass notice to offenders, outlining the consequences of repeated offenses; and

WHEREAS, The launch of this pilot program has yielded encouraging results, thereby contributing to improved safety for businesses and communities. Data from the NYPD indicates a 5% decrease in shoplifting complaints and a 20% increase in arrests since the launch of this program. 83 individuals suspected...