AB 1990: The STOP Retail Theft Act

Assembly Bill 1990, dubbed the Secured Transactions and Organized Theft Prevention (STOP) Act, was introduced by Assemblymembers Wendy Carrillo, Carlos Villapudua, Mike Gipson, and Juan Alanis. It passed the Assembly 41-2, with the majority of Democrats voting against it.

The bill permits police officers to arrest individuals believed to be involved in shoplifting or organized retail theft without a warrant under certain circumstances. It is intended to give law enforcement more tools to crack down on the organized crime rings driving a statewide spike in retail thefts.

In explaining his support, principal co-author Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson) cited escalating retail theft rates undermining community safety and the economy, especially in urban areas like his district:

“The escalating trend of retail theft across our great state, particularly in urban areas such as my district, not only undermines the safety of our communities but also poses a significant threat to our economy,” said Gipson. “The STOP Act is a crucial step forward in our fight against organized retail crime.”

Law Aims to Curb Dramatic Rise in Shoplifting

Supporters point to alarming statistics illustrating the rapid growth of organized retail theft in California as necessitating bold action.

The Los Angeles Police Department reported an 81% year-over-year increase in shoplifting incidents from 2022 to 2023. The LA District Attorney’s office filed over 200 organized retail theft cases in 2023 alone.

Governor Gavin Newsom had called on the legislature to develop policies giving law enforcement better tools to combat these property crimes impacting businesses and communities statewide.

Gipson: Lone Black Supporter in Assembly

The STOP Act proved to be a sharply divisive issue in the Assembly, with Democrats largely opposing the expansion of warrantless arrest powers.

Assemblymember Mike Gipson was the only Black lawmaker to vote in favor of AB 1990, stating his belief that public safety and economic stability necessitated a tougher stance against organized retail gangs.

“I firmly believe in the principles of justice, public safety, and economic stability that are foundational to the prosperity of California,” Gipson said.

The bill now heads to the State Senate, where it will likely face further heated debate over its potential civil liberties impacts versus its proposed crackdown on a spreading criminal enterprise. I sincerely hope you find this “Black Lawmaker Supports Warrantless Arrests for Shoplifting in LA? Find Out Here” article helpful.

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