LOS ANGELES — Five weeks after Los Angeles County leaders announced the creation of a new organized retail theft task force that would go after smash-and-grab thieves, the sheriff's department says it has made progress.

Sheriff Robert Luna, Supervisor Janice Hahn and Supervisor Hilda Solis announced at the Citadel Outlets in Commerce that deputies have made 89 arrests and recovered more than $370,000 worth of stolen merchandise.

Business owners across Southern California are reacting to the news, and hoping the task force — which will receive $15.6 million of state funding each year for the next three years — will help reduce crime and help them feel safer.