As was predicted by many, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is the gift that keeps on giving when it comes to ridiculous policy. But the Democrat-majority New York City Council is not much better. Their latest push is to address shoplifting in the city. Most New Yorkers are likely on board with that endeavor, but the solution they have come up with is more typical Democrat failure to connect the dots.
The focus is on self-checkout lanes. Designed for the convenience of law-abiding citizens, but apparently a dream come true for shoplifters in the Big Apple. On Tuesday, Councilwoman Amanda Farias introduced a bill that would limit self-checkout items to 15 and require grocery stores and pharmacies to staff at least one employee for every three self-checkout lanes. Ok, fair enough, staffing permitted. However, those businesses that do not comply could face a daily fine of up to $100.
Serial NYC shoplifter waltzes free despite staggering 254 arrests https://t.co/eljhJwHCwq pic.twitter.com/Cl3L6Bz5oG
— New York Post (@nypost) July 12, 2025
READ MORE: ‘Tip Now or Starve’: NYC’s Genius Hostage-Taking Delivery Hack
Farias, a Bronx Democrat, said this of the proposed bill:
“We’ve seen the consequences of removing workers from these spaces: increased retail theft, less oversight, fewer protections for both workers and customers, and generally decreased safety. This bill is about protecting good jobs, supporting workers on the front lines and creating a more secure shopping environment for New Yorkers to maintain safety, accountability, and fairness in the checkout process.”
But in typical Democrat fashion, Farias and her fellow leftist travelers once again fail to see the irony in their absurdity. In addition to the punishment in the form of fines for business owners, a bill was also introduced that would raise New York City’s minimum wage from the current $17 per hour to $30 per hour by 2030, a campaign promise of Mamdani’s. Has it occurred to the economics “experts” on the City Council that the reason there are not enough employees to supervise self-checkout lanes is that businesses, especially small businesses, cannot afford to pay a $30 an hour minimum wage? Of course not.
JUST IN: 🇺🇸 New York City Council considers bill to raise minimum wage to $30, highest in the United States.
— Remarks (@remarks) March 10, 2026
Retail theft in New York City was up 68 percent above pre-pandemic levels in 2022. There has been a seven percent decline between 2023 and 2025, but it is still high.
Joann Ariola is one of a handful of Republicans on the City Council. She called it exactly what it is, saying,
“This is typical backwards leftist logic. Instead of actually trying to punish criminals, my colleagues are pushing to make life even harder for businesses and consumers.”
Jason Ferraira, a board member of the National Supermarket Association who owns three grocery stores in Queens, said the bill is “misguided.” He added, “I think this is a horrible idea. You don’t prevent shoplifting by making me have a certain ratio of employees. People shoplift in a lot of different ways.”
ALSO READ: Mamdani’s Socialist Agenda Will Squeeze the Middle Class
Once again, Democrats have decided to punish law-abiding citizens, in this case, business owners, instead of the criminals they are obsessed with coddling. Unfortunately, New Yorkers who did not vote for these people now must live with their unserious policies.
NYC Council Dems’ bizarre plan to crack down on the supermarket self-checkout line https://t.co/BbBvRZTMfG pic.twitter.com/NEBXicu50y
— New York Post (@nypost) March 14, 2026
Editor’s Note: New York City is now facing the consequences of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s socialist takeover.
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