Dupage Policy Journal

Naperville Councilman Josh McBroom has brought to light a concerning trend of widespread retail theft that has been silently downtown businesses. 

“It’s come to my attention that some of our downtown business have been experiencing mass retail theft that has gone unreported to our police department,” McBroom said in a Facebook post. 

“After questioning Chief Arres about this he confirmed that he is aware this type of theft does in fact take place at Naperville businesses. It sounds like it is more common in our national retail businesses, who for whatever reason are more hesitant to report crimes to the police. Reminder to residents, see something say something.” 

“Our police may not always catch these criminals but they will catch some. And to any business owners who decide to not report these crimes, know that you are only encouraging more of the same and putting other business owners at greater risk. Let’s all be diligent, and if you see what you think is a crime, please call 911 and report it.”

"It’s come to my attention that some of our downtown businesses have been experiencing mass retail theft that has gone unreported to our police department."

McBroom was one of a group of council members who were endorsed by the Safe Suburbs PAC earlier in the year. 

He and others on the city council have highlighted public safety as their number one issue given the increasing lawlessness of the City of Chicago over the tenure of Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx.

Suburban critics have been gathering in the wake of seven years of soft-on-crime policies in Chicago that have led to rampant crime. In nearby Orland Park, located in south Cook County, Mayor Keith Pekau has promised to go after corporate stores that turn a blind eye to retail theft. 

Pekau has emphasized the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and local businesses to maintain the city’s law and order reputation.

Many of the issues are said to be linked to Foxx’s policy to not prosecute shoplifters who steal less than $1,000 worth of goods at a time. In the wake of expansive criticism, Foxx decided not to run for a third term. 

“Criminals got the memo that compliance with the law is, for the first time ever, optional,” Dan Kirk, Former Chief of Staff and First Assistant State’s Attorney of Cook County, who spent 15 years in the Cook County States Attorney's Office, said in an editorial regarding Foxx’s tenure, calling her a “Prosecutor in name Only.” 

“You want to steal merchandise from a store? No problem — just keep it at around $999. You want to carjack someone? By all means, go ahead. You probably won’t get caught because a lack of meaningful prosecution has killed off proactive policing,” Kirk wrote in the New York Post. “The PINOs enacted their policies, and the policies yielded terrible results. Now, the people are in a position to evaluate whether they got what they bargained for when they gave these new prosecutors a chance.”

Shoplifting, including that conducted by organized crime gangs, has been noted as a nationwide epidemic. Major retailers are warning that a failure to aggressively prosecute shoplifters could lead to higher prices and store closures. 

“If that’s not corrected over time, prices will be higher, and/or stores will close,” Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said in a December interview with CNBC. 

Walmart later announced the closure of several Chicagoland stores. Nine states passing or considering harsher penalties for retail theft offenses, industry associations are wielding their influence to shape legislation, sparking debates about potential impacts on marginalized groups and overall crime reduction.