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EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Hochul talks retail theft, bail reform during visit to Lindenhurst

Her five-point plan includes increasing penalties for assaulting retail workers, more money for small businesses to buy cameras and allowing prosecutors to combine thefts when people steal from different stores.

Kurt Semder

May 3, 2024, 10:28 PM

Updated 231 days ago

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Gov. Kathy Hochul stood inside the Lindenhurst Bolla Market and watched numerous videos of incidents involving theft inside that store - and stores across the region.
She spoke exclusively with News 12’s Kurt Semder about how they are good examples of why she made slowing down the surge in retail theft a major part of the recently approved state budget.
Her five-point plan includes increasing penalties for assaulting retail workers, more money for small businesses to buy cameras and allowing prosecutors to combine thefts when people steal from different stores.
Bolla Market CEO and President Harry Singh believes it’s a good first step but says that bail reforms need to be rolled back, saying people can’t just walk away after hurting an employee - or stealing. The governor pointed to a drop in recidivism due to changes in the bail laws.