Rampant thefts leave Marin retailers defenseless and frustrated

Retailers in Marin County, California, are expressing frustration over a surge in brazen shoplifting incidents. Factors contributing to the problem include organized retail theft, social media facilitating organized ransacking, increased homelessness, widespread drug addiction, and a shift away from incarceration for less-serious crimes. Laws such as Proposition 47, which reduced most theft and drug offenses to misdemeanors, have made it difficult for law enforcement to effectively address the issue. Retailers are struggling to combat theft, with limited options for enforcement and prevention, leading to financial losses and concerns about the long-term viability of businesses.