Skip to content

Chamber urges NYC Council to pass critical retail theft legislation & champion “The Main Street Deal”

See Full Report

NEW YORK, NY – February 26, 2026 – Today, Jessica Walker, President and CEO of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, delivered testimony before the New York City Council Committees on Small Business and Public Safety regarding the urgent issue of retail theft. Highlighting the profound impact of crime on the small businesses that serve as the backbone of the local economy, the Chamber called for immediate legislative and operational action to protect commercial corridors.

During her testimony, Walker emphasized a non-negotiable reality for local operators: "Simply put, our neighborhood operators cannot thrive or even survive—if they cannot keep their employees, customers, and merchandise safe."

To secure the physical safety of these corridors, the Chamber announced its strong support for two pieces of legislation currently before the committees:

  • NYC Council Int. 0553-2026 (Security System Technology Financial Assistance): The Chamber fully supports this proposed local law to establish a program providing financial assistance to small retail businesses. This program will offset the costs of installing critical security system technology, such as plexiglass, panic buttons, and digital video surveillance, to prevent and respond to theft and property damage.

  • NYC Council Int. 0623-2026 (Small Business Security Measures Pilot Program): The Chamber strongly backs this bill requiring the Commissioner of Small Business Services and the NYPD to create a targeted pilot program. This program would install security measures at small businesses located in zip codes with high rates of retail theft.

Advancing "The Main Street Deal"

The Chamber's testimony also highlighted "The Main Street Deal," a comprehensive "Bill of Rights for Neighborhood Storefronts" developed by its Storefront Business Coalition to advocate for the needs of local owners. Looking forward, the Chamber urged the Council to build momentum by advancing two additional proposals from this agenda:

  • Retail Theft Data Transparency: Legislation that would require District Attorneys and the NYPD to publish quarterly data tracking repeat commercial burglaries and organized retail theft rings to ensure public accountability.

  • The Neighborhood Retail Safety & Coordination Act: A proposed bill to establish a "Small Business Director for Safety" within the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice or the Department of Community Safety. This director would be legally required to coordinate with the NYPD to develop an annual "Retail Corridor Safety Plan" that focuses on rapid-response protocols, lighting, and a visible presence during peak hours.

     

A Call for Operational Coordination

Acknowledging that legislation must be paired with on-the-ground coordination , Walker concluded by strongly recommending that the Mamdani administration continue the Retail Theft Task Force established under the Adams administration. The Chamber noted that maintaining this multi-stakeholder framework is essential for sharing intelligence and effectively combating organized theft rings.

The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce continues to urge the swift passage of both Int. 0553-2026 and Int. 0623-2026 and looks forward to partnering with the city to uplift New York's neighborhood storefronts.

© 2026 Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.  All Rights Reserved.