Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office Awarded More Than $2 Million To Fight Organized Retail Theft

Today, District Attorney Carla Rodriguez announced that the Sonoma County District Attorney’s office has been awarded $2.05 million in grant funding from the State of California’s Organized Retail Theft Grant Program, administered by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC), to combat organized retail theft. Twelve additional prosecutor’s offices and 38 law enforcement agencies across the state were also funded in an effort to dismantle retail theft.

A media release issued by the BSCC stated that, “These grant programs [are] designed to provide critical funding and resources to law enforcement agencies and prosecutors working collaboratively. Today’s funding will significantly add to local law enforcement efforts in cracking down on organized retail theft and other types of property crime – including vehicle and catalytic converter theft.” The $2 million plus grant was awarded to the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office through a competitive process. The BSCC noted that, “The recipients of these grants have demonstrated a commitment to tackling retail theft through innovative strategies to deter, prevent, and respond to organized retail crime.”

The grant funds approved by the BSCC will be used by the office to establish a dedicated prosecutor focused on ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable by identifying gaps in the system, and improving cooperation with retail operators and local law enforcement. The grant period runs from October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2026.

District Attorney Rodriguez stated, “There is not one single fix to combatting the escalation of property crime across the state and in Sonoma County. We need the legislature to pass common sense laws, we need the courts to impose appropriate sanctions, and we (in law enforcement) need to be proactive and innovative in holding offenders accountable. This grant will help my office continue to vigorously prosecute those that commit property crime in this community.”

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