Retailers: Shoplifting bill will increase crime
Retailers and the state's retail lobbying group are voicing strong opposition to a proposed law that would raise the threshold for convicting a person of felony shoplifting charges.
The bill would make stealing merchandise valued below $5,000 a misdemeanor — the limit is now $1,000, which Retail Association of Maine Executive Director Curtis Picard says is "a cost of living increase for the criminals," according to the Bangor Daily News.
Lawmakers are scheduled to hold a public hearing today on LD 366, sponsored by Sen. Roger Katz, R-Augusta, who says the change would reduce a burden on the state's criminal justice system.
Katz told the paper that he's not settled on the $5,000 threshold but he believes $1,000 is too low.
Picard says quintupling the threshold would make Maine a destination for professional shoplifters as it would give Maine the highest felony theft threshold in the country.
Picard told the paper that Maine's felony shoplifting threshold is now on par with 13 states, including New Hampshire, and is higher than 34 others, including Vermont and Massachusetts.
Wisconsin has the highest threshold for felony shoplifting, at $2,500, the paper reported.
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