Los Angeles County to receive $15.6 million to fight smash-and-grab crimes

Los Angeles County is set to receive a reported $15.6 million to fight smash-and-grab crime affecting retail businesses.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the funding, which comes from the state government, on Tuesday, according to a report.

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An Organized Retail Theft Task Force created by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will use the money to mitigate and counter smash-and-grab crime as well as thefts relating to cargo and catalytic converters.

It will be made up of at least one lieutenant, three sergeants, and 30 detectives and work with other law enforcement bodies and businesses, according to officials. Smash-and-grabs are part of a greater organized retail crime wave that has increased nationally by 26% since 2002, according to the report.

“Unfortunately, this trend holds true in Los Angeles County,” county officials said.

“At the same time, [retailers] have been faced with an increase in organized retail theft, including smash-and-grab robberies that have recently become more brazen and violent.”

Sheriff Robert Luna echoed that sentiment.

“These brazen organized retail theft sprees are hurting business communities across the county, and retail companies are losing billions of dollars annually,” Luna said.

Leaders in Los Angeles County anticipate the $15.6 million will be used to uncover the organized crime groups behind the smash-and-grabs.

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“Our Retail Theft Task Force through our Major Crimes Bureau is focused on reducing these crimes by targeting these crews and aggressively pursuing not just those who commit the theft, but everyone in the criminal chain,” Luna said.

“This Organized Retail Theft Grant will allow us to continue to investigate retail theft crimes and provide dedicated staff and equipment necessary to continue to combat these thefts.”