The United States has witnessed a significant surge in shoplifting incidents this year, with a nearly 25% increase compared to the same period last year, according to a recent crime study.
The Council on Criminal Justices (CCJ) Mid-Year Crime Report, unveiled on Thursday, has shed light on this alarming trend.
According to One America News, the comprehensive study collated crime data from 23 cities across the nation, revealing a consistent rise in shoplifting since the country started recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022. The report also highlighted the growing prevalence of "smash-and-grabs," a term used to describe instances where groups brazenly storm into stores and abscond with merchandise en masse.
The escalating issue has prompted many pharmacies and stores to resort to locking items in specific aisles as a deterrent to theft. Despite this surge in shoplifting, the CCJ's analysis of 39 cities showed that crime rates in other categories have reverted to pre-pandemic levels.
The study also pointed out a disturbing increase in homicides during the pandemic in 29 of the surveyed cities. The homicide rate saw a shocking 30% spike in 2020 and continued to surge through 2021. However, by 2022, the homicide rates began to decline.
As of July 2024, the murder rates have dropped nearly 13% from the same period last year and are 2% lower than the same period in 2019. Despite this decrease in homicides, a 2023 Gallup poll revealed that Americans' personal safety fears have reached a three-decade high, with 40% expressing fear of walking home alone at night.
This data underscores the need for effective strategies to combat the rising tide of shoplifting and address the public's heightened safety concerns, even as the nation grapples with the aftermath of the pandemic.
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