Is The Shoplifting Crisis Manufactured?
In a recent X (fka Twitter) thread, Rafael Shimunov, the host of Beyond The Pale radio show, has raised serious allegations regarding the shoplifting “crisis” that has been making headlines. Shimunov’s tweets suggest that the entire narrative around the purported crisis has been carefully manufactured by law enforcement agencies and propagated by the media without proper fact-checking.
The Twitter thread begins with Shimunov asserting that the shoplifting crisis was “completely manufactured by police” and that the press had repeated the narrative without conducting proper fact-checking. He expresses a lack of surprise at this revelation, implying that such misinformation tactics are not uncommon. Shimunov goes on to question the accuracy of the numbers being cited by various sources, referring to them as “lies.”
One of the most striking claims made by Shimunov is that the reported losses attributed to shoplifting, even if taken at face value, amount to a minuscule 7 cents per 100 dollars in sales. He also points out inconsistencies among different retail associations in their versions of the facts, suggesting a lack of cohesion in the manufactured narrative.
Citing a Los Angeles Times article, Shimunov said that the claim that retail gangs steal almost 25% of combined sales in San Francisco and Oakland, equating to $15.5 billion in 2019, is debunked. The National Retail Federation’s latest report contradicts this, estimating that losses from organized retail theft amount to $700,000 per $1 billion in sales, which is equivalent to 0.07% of total sales. This is significantly lower, about 330 times less, than the estimate put forth by the California Retailers Association (CRA).
Further, a CRA staffer then said that “there’s no way of knowing exactly” on how to calculate the losses from organized retail crime. Their calculation was based on assuming a total annual theft of $70 billion by organized retail thieves nationwide, with California accounting for 10%. As a result, they estimated California’s losses at $7 billion, suggesting that the Bay Area’s losses would also be substantial, likely in the billions.
The host’s thread doesn’t stop there; he claims that even under oath, these retail associations provided false information to Congress about their numbers. This alleged lie is said to be worth a staggering $25 billion, a sum that calls into question the credibility of these associations and the information they provide to lawmakers.
Contrary to the widely propagated narrative that shoplifting incidents are on the rise, Shimunov suggests that the data indicates a decrease in retail thefts, a revelation that contradicts mainstream news coverage and political rhetoric.
Adding an intriguing twist to the narrative, Shimunov asserts that a significant portion of these reported thefts is attributed to paperwork errors, rather than actual criminal activities. This raises questions about the accuracy of the data being presented and its implications for policy decisions.
Shimunov concludes his thread with a provocative question aimed at certain politicians. He asks whether figures like California Gov. Gavin Newsom and New York City Mayor Eric Adams are either oblivious to the reports that challenge the narrative or if they are intentionally cooperating with influential individuals to justify the expansion of the police state.
“So are politicians like Gavin Newsom and Eric Adams too stupid to read reports? Or are they in cahoots with billionaires to justify growing the police state? 😅 probably both,” he quipped.
Information for this briefing was found via Los Angeles Times and the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
What a fukking fool. Everyone who shops routinely in stores in or near more “troubled” communities knows shoplifting has increased. U see it with your own eyes-literally see thievery now, done almost openly. Police don’t attend or discourage complainants (victims) from pressing charges. Courts treat shoplifting practically as law abiding behavior. Increasing the police state?