SoCal law enforcement agencies to get millions in state grants to crack down on retail theft
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Several law enforcement agencies in Southern California are getting millions in grant money as part of what the state calls the "largest-ever single investment to combat organized retail crime."
The Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) unanimously approved nearly $270 million in grants to 38 agencies and 13 district attorney offices across the state to stop the thefts that have seemingly become more common and organized.
The Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department are among those receiving some of the largest amounts - both are set to get $15,650,000 each.
"That money will be used to fund a fully staffed and equipped investigative unit with the ability to specifically focus on combating these crimes," said Assistant Sheriff Holly Francisco with the LASD.
The three-year grant period begins Oct. 1.
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Here are the other Southern California agencies receiving grants and how much they're getting:
- Anaheim Police Department: $6,104,863
- Beverly Hills Police Department: $4,534,580
- Brea Police Department: $5, 941,357
- Costa Mesa Police Department: $3,518,133
- Garden Grove Police Department: $1,302,231
- Hemet Police Department: $2,500,065
- Irvine Police Department: $5,403,369
- Orange County Sheriff's Department: $15,127,350
- Palm Springs Police Department: $4,559,233
- Riverside County Sheriff's Office: $2,219,710
-San Fernando Police Department: $$494,964
- Santa Monica Police Department: $6,125,000
- Ventura County Sheriff's Office: $15,560,000
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According to the BSCC, the grant money will fund "crime-fighting programs" such as data sharing, surveillance and license plate trackers. The money will also fund retail theft investigative units, create new task forces, target criminal organizations and hire more police officers.
The funding is part of Gov. Gavin Newsom's public safety plan to give law enforcement departments the tools to disrupt smash-and-grab rings. Newsom is promising more takedowns, more police, more arrests and more felony prosecutions.
The California Retailers' Association, which represents large to small businesses across the state, says they're hopeful.
"The sentiment we're hearing is hope. We hope to see how this shakes out and how it helps. We probably have a long way to go still with combating the issue, but this is a step in the right direction," said Sarah Pollo Moo with the CRA.
