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AGENCY TESTIMONY
Addressing retail theft and quality of life issues
4:42:50
ยท
58 sec
DA McMahon discusses the persistent challenges of retail theft, illegal smoke shops, and related quality of life issues in Staten Island and across New York City.
- Rampant retail theft, illegal smoke shops, and scams remain significant public safety challenges
- These crimes have substantial economic impacts, including lost revenue and property damage
- McMahon urges the council to invest in law enforcement personnel and public awareness campaigns to combat these issues
Michael McMahon
4:42:50
I hope you will help us effect modest changes, not a rollback, very modest changes while keeping the original statute in place.
4:43:01
Despite significant amendments included in last year's state budget, rampant retail theft, the proliferation of illegal smoke shops, and opportunistic scammers and squatters remain massive public safety challenges on Staten Island and indeed across New York City.
4:43:18
The aforementioned offenses are not victimless crimes.
4:43:22
Desperately needed revenue streams are being pilfered, precious private property is vandalized, and hundreds of millions of dollars are being stolen from our residents and local retailers.
4:43:33
I urge this council to think carefully about these quality of life and public safety issues and to invest not only in additional law enforcement personnel, but public awareness and prevention campaigns to combat these blights on our communities.