San Francisco leaders are praising a rise in retail theft arrests across the city. San Francisco Police Department officials say larceny cases have declined by nearly 20 percent so far this year. At the same time, retail theft arrests have increased by 27 percent over the past six months, compared with the previous six-month period. Police say they have also seized more than 400-thousand dollars worth of stolen merchandise during their enforcement efforts. Officials credit recent strategies aimed at reducing retail crime, including increased police presence and enforcement in certain areas of the city. Police are also focusing more attention on repeat offenders who they say contribute to ongoing retail theft. City leaders say the latest numbers are encouraging as San Francisco continues efforts to address property crime and improve conditions for businesses and shoppers. Police say they will continue targeted enforcement and other efforts to combat retail theft throughout the city.
