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LASD Granted $15.7 Million to Combat Surge in Smash-and-Grab Robberies October 04, 2023 (0 comments)
Los Angeles, CA--In light of the escalating "smash-and-grab" robberies plaguing retail stores, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors authorized the utilization of a $15.7 million state grant for the LA County Sheriff's Department on Tuesday, September 26.
This grant is aimed at providing the necessary resources to apprehend the culprits and preemptively thwart such crimes in department stores, luxury outlets, and local retail shops.
According to a PoliceOne report, the grant will fund overtime and training for detectives and deputies, procure vehicles and equipment, and enable outreach to the business community.
The allocated funds are envisioned to enhance the operational capacity of the Organized Retail Theft Task Force, a collaborative effort between the LASD and LAPD, formed earlier in August. This initiative has already yielded tangible results with 32 felony arrests, six misdemeanor arrests, and the recovery of five firearms and $16,000 in stolen merchandise within a month, as stated by Sheriff Robert Luna.
Per the report, Sheriff Luna emphasized the comprehensive approach to tackling this issue, stating, "We will not only focus on individuals responsible for the thefts but also those in getaway cars and those selling the stolen items."
The report noted that the grant is part of a broader $267 million grant announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom to aid 55 cities under the Organized Retail Theft Prevention awards. Besides LA, other cities in the county, like Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and San Fernando, also benefit from this grant program.
Learn more in the entire PoliceOne report.