JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi has revised its laws to more effectively combat shoplifting, expanding accountability to include not only those caught stealing, but also individuals assisting in such crimes. As of July 1, changes in the state law facilitate harsher penalties and make it easier to charge accomplices involved in the act, whether they are directly stealing, acting as lookouts, or driving getaway vehicles.
Shoplifting remains a pervasive issue in Mississippi, particularly in cities like Byram, located near major highways which see a high volume of both traffic and retail theft. Byram police have historically struggled to prosecute accomplices due to the challenge of proving their involvement beyond mere presence at the scene.
Lt. Maurice Kendrick of the Byram Police Department remarked on the updated legislation, noting, “Now, involvement of any kind in a shoplifting operation, even peripheral roles such as lookout or getaway driver, clearly falls under being chargeable as an accomplice. This makes it significantly easier to hold more individuals accountable.”
For retailers, the impact of shoplifting extends beyond mere loss of merchandise. Greg Hill, a store manager at Vowell’s Marketplace, pointed out that frequent theft forces businesses to reconsider their inventory decisions, often opting not to stock high-value items that are attractive targets for thieves. He shared, “It’s about managing the costs. If theft is rampant, you adapt by maybe not stocking those high-end products that are likely to be stolen, which affects our offerings to customers.”
Items like meat and medications—often high in value but easy to conceal—are commonly stolen from stores like Vowell’s. Hill described the ongoing battle with shoplifters: “You try to catch them when you can, but there’s an acceptance that sometimes they get away with it.”
Under the new legislation, the scope for prosecuting these crimes broadens, enhancing the potential for reducing shoplifting incidents. Specifically, any person involved repeatedly or for thefts exceeding $1,000 in value risks felony charges, a serious escalation from previously milder repercussions.
Amidst these legislative changes, the role of judicial discretion in sentencing has been streamlined to ensure more consistent and stringent consequences for repeat offenders. Now, individuals convicted of a second shoplifting offense will face a mandatory minimum of two days in jail, reinforcing a tougher stance on recurrent shoplifting.
Lt. Kendrick emphasized the cascading effects of seemingly minor crimes like shoplifting, explaining its potential as a gateway to more severe criminal behaviors. “It often starts small, but with each successful theft, perpetrators grow bolder, potentially escalating to more serious and dangerous crimes,” he said.
These legal enhancements are welcomed by law enforcement and retailers alike, who see them as crucial tools to deter crime and safeguard their merchandise. By broadening the definition of accountability, Mississippi aims to curb the costly effects of shoplifting not only on businesses but also on the broader community.