Yakima Police and Businesses Battling Shoplifting

Authorities say shoplifting is a big problem in Yakima but police are working with area retailers to help cut down the number of cases.

Chief Dominic Rizzi says however it is not just police that need to be involved in a solution. “We need everyone working together. Police and prosecutors and retailers need to talk to each other to find solutions and share information.”

Rizzi says the police department is also willing to help area stores with a design that would help prevent shoplifting.

The county prosecutor’s office is now prosecuting shoplifting cases less than $50, something it was not doing in 2012.

In 2012 there were 618 shoplifting cases reported. There have been 561 reported cases thus far in 2013.