CINCINNATI — A recent report by the Council on Criminal Justice shows shoplifting is on the rise. Criminal justice experts say it’s a cause for concern for shoppers and businesses alike. However, Cincinnati's shoplifting numbers are down from last year.

What You Need To Know

  • Shoplifiting is up 16% across 24 major cities according to a report done by the Council on Criminal Justice  

  • Stores have responded by reducing hours and inventory, and even closing locations
  • Cincinnati's shoplifting numbers are down from last year

A survey done this year by the National Retail Federation found nearly 45% of respondents say they’ve had to reduce specific store hours because of retail crime. 29% reduced or changed in-store product selection and 28% closed their locations. 

Some stores have even increased their prices to make up for the lost inventory. And while law enforcement can help with arrests, experts said more needs to be done to put a stop to it. 

“If the judges and the courts and the juries are not taking these cases seriously and just giving them a slap on the wrist and letting them right back out, all they’re going to do is re-offend again,” said Karl Langhorst, University of Cincinnati professor of criminal justice.

While numbers are up on the rise across the nation, Cincinnati numbers are down. The survey found that there were nearly 36 incidents of shoplifting per 100,000 people in June 2023. That is slightly lower than June 2022.