California Lawmakers Create First Retail Theft Committee Amid Surging Crime

Some prosecutors said at the first committee hearing that existing laws, including Prop. 47, are allowing many crimes to go unpunished.

A suspected looter carrying boxes of shoes runs past National Guard soldiers in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles on June 1, 2020. Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—While videos of smash-and-grab robberies in California circulating on social media are attracting attention worldwide, lawmakers say finding solutions to stop the crimes is challenging.

Though acknowledging action is needed, some say viral clips are distorting reality and suggest that retail theft crimes are difficult to count.