At a Wednesday morning press conference in front of a Pico Union 7-Eleven that’s been hit by thieves 12 times in recent weeks, officials announced a new initiative to curb retail theft.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman unveiled a new warning sticker that local businesses can place on their windows to protect their shops.
On the yellow notice that Hochman said he copied from the Sacramento D.A.’s Office, it warns that the shop using it is protected by the L.A. County Retail Crime Task Force.
In addition to the dozen thefts just recently, the 7-Eleven where Hochman spoke fell victim to a major ransacking in September 2024 when about 50 juveniles unabashedly combed out the store.
“We’ve had to spend thousands of dollars on protection,” said Jawad Ursani, a 7-Eleven franchisee, at the presser. “Money that could’ve gone toward inventory and community investments.”
Also during this press conference, Hochman highlighted the success of Proposition 36 in combating serial and organized retail theft.
“As a felony, no longer is it a slap on the wrist, no longer is it a cite and release,” Hochman said at Wednesday’s press conference.
With Prop 36, which was passed last year, a third arrest for certain theft and drug crimes is now a felony arrest.
Hochman said more than 1,000 Prop 36 arrests have been made since the law went into effect in December 2024.
“If you wanna go ahead and engage in theft in Los Angeles County, you will be held accountable, you will be arrested, you will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” said Hochman.