ATLANTA (March 24, 2010) – In response to the rash of high profile “smash and grab” burglaries across the state of Georgia, the Georgia State Senate today unanimously voted in favor of Sen. Preston Smith’s (R-Rome) legislation to create a new crime for these burglaries that are taking a financial toll on Georgia’s retail industry.
“Smash and grab burglaries have surged nationwide and have hit Atlanta retailers particularly hard. Over the last fours years, metro Atlanta stores have seen over 360 of these crimes committed,” said Smith. “Typically, these burglaries target small retailers; mom and pop shops that lose hundreds of dollars from property damage and stolen merchandise. This is taking a huge toll on one of the state’s most important industries that is already suffering in the current economic climate.”
From the “Blue Jean Bandits” to the “30 Deep” gang, metro Atlanta has recently seen an outbreak of these high profile crimes, where burglars smash a vehicle into a retail store and gather thousands of dollars worth of valuable merchandise, leaving behind tens of thousands of dollars in property damage. Law enforcement officials agree that these crimes are difficult to investigate, as the perpetrators can carry out the crime within a matter of minutes and make a quick getaway.
Senate Bill 423 creates a new statute in Georgia law that defines smash and grab burglaries as entering a retail establishment without authority with the intent to commit theft and causing more than $500 of damage. Under this legislation, these burglaries will be considered a felony, punishable from two to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine. A second conviction carries a prison term of five to 20 years and/or a $100,000 fine.
The bill takes into consideration the effect these crimes have on juveniles who are recruited off the streets to commit smash and grab burglaries, typically as part of gang activity. The legislation amends the crime of contributing to the delinquency of a minor to include hiring or encouraging a minor to commit a smash and grab burglary. Such an offense increases the prison sentence from one to 10 years from the current maximum of five years. The bill also protects children who are 14 years or younger from being charged with a felony for smash and grab burglaries.
The Georgia Retail Association reports that Atlanta saw a dramatic increase in these crimes when they escalated from 16 smash and grab burglaries in 2006 to 119 in 2009. The merchandise loss during that four-year period was nearly $4 million. According to the FBI, Organized Retail Crime is a national issue and is estimated to cost between $15 billion to $30 billion annually.
“Law enforcement officials estimate that these burglaries can happen in just 45 seconds, sometimes leaving behind over $50,000 in property damage. This legislation enforces stiffer penalties and helps law enforcement and prosecutors put an end to this terrible practice,” added Smith.
Sen. Preston Smith serves as chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He represents the 52nd Senate District which includes Floyd County and portions of Bartow and Gordon counties. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0034 or by e-mail at preston.smith@senate.ga.gov.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
March 24, 2010
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber, Director
Kallarin Richards, Senior Communications Specialist
kallarin.richards@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028