Retailers across Baltimore are grappling with a surge of shoplifters, with the Baltimore Police Department reporting more than 10,000 larceny incidents this year, averaging nearly 40 items stolen daily.
At a Royal Farms in Southeast Baltimore — where shoplifting has increased by 68% compared to last year — one employee pleaded for relief.
“Every day somebody come to get something that they don’t want to pay for,” said Lee Evans, a Royal Farms employee. “We wish that we could get some help because we really need it bad.”
According to National Police Association spokesperson Sgt. Betsy Smith, the solution is simple.
“One of the reasons that retail theft is on the rise is because it largely goes unpunished,” she said. “Punishment alters behavior.”
Smith criticized Maryland’s larceny laws, which classify theft under $1,500 as a misdemeanor, as too lenient. In contrast, most states, including neighboring Virginia and West Virginia, treat theft over $1,000 as a felony, with some states setting the threshold as low as $500.
“Think about even $500 worth of merchandise,” she said. “That’s still a lot of stuff.”
Smith pointed to California as a cautionary tale. After loosening penalties, the state quickly reversed course due to a surge of smash-and-grab thefts and brazen raids.
“And the only course retailers actually then have is to leave the area,” Smith said.
“I saw it the whole last year, like three stores on Eastern Avenue closed down because they stole all of their product,” Evans said.
From mom-and-pop shops to big chains, many in the area are now urging state lawmakers to help push out thieves before thieves push them out of business.