Progs vs. the People

Think shoplifting is just a petty crime that takes a negligible toll on big retailers — and that pols should keep letting such perps get off virtually scot-free? Then ask East Harlem residents how they feel about a key Target store now closing its doors due to rampant theft and violence. Ask the workers losing their jobs.

Target says it’s shutting the E. 117th Street store — which only opened in 2010, after years of begging by city officials and residents — and eight others in similarly crimewracked cities with progressive prosecutors.

“We cannot continue operating these stores because theft and organized retail crime are threatening the safety of our team and guests, and contributing to unsustainable business performance,” says Target. It’s a major setback for the neighborhood. “Target was a staple” in East Harlem, laments ex-City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, providing goods “at a price point important to the community” — and “a lot of jobs.”

Nor are the thieves impoverished Jean Valjeans, stealing a loaf of bread to survive: A National Retail Federation report this week cited “organized retail crime perpetrators” behind much theft — often fomenting violence.

The hit is huge: “Shrink” cost stores nationwide $112.1 billion in retail losses last year, up 19% from $93.9 billion in 2021.

And the crooks grow ever more bold: In Philly Tuesday, a group of young looters hit several outlets in the same night, including Apple, Foot Locker and Lululemon stores.

There’s no mystery about what’s driving the surge: the dramatic elimination of consequences for criminals (especially lowlevel repeat offenders) in cities with Democratic leaders and DAs.

In New York, the state’s no-bail and Raise the Age laws, along with restrictive “discovery” rules for prosecutors and a host of state and city handcuffs on cops all contributed.

Plus the rise of pro-criminal DAs like Manhattan’s Alvin Bragg, who proudly boasted his first day in office that he’d avoid imposing consequences on lawbreakers.

As the National Supermarket Association’s Seny Taveras notes, these perps are mostly recidivists: Of 14,877 NYC shoplifting arrestees this year through July, 64.5% had been nabbed before for shoplifting.

The chief problem: Progressives just don’t care about crime’s consequences for the public. No stores, no jobs — so what? As long as criminals don’t get “victimized.”

Residents losing stores like Target need to remember that attitude come election time.