MISSOULA — Dealing with stolen merchandise can be a costly problem for business owners, and in Missoula, shoplifting is on the rise.
Reports of shoplifting in Missoula have nearly doubled in the last four years, prompting business owners to seek solutions with the city and county to mitigate the negative effects.
The Montana Board of Crime Control gathers data from the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office and the Missoula Police Department on various property crimes, including theft from vehicles, buildings, and shoplifting.
While the data includes both the City of Missoula and Missoula County, most shoplifting crimes occur within city limits, according to Missoula County Attorney Matt Jennings.
The most recent data from the Board of Crime Control shows 600 shoplifting reports in Missoula in 2020 and 1185 reports in 2023.
Jennings suggests that the increase may be due to changes in policies regarding shoplifting charges.
Any shoplifting incident under $1,500 is considered a misdemeanor, usually resulting in a fine. The Montana State Legislature has eliminated jail time for misdemeanor offenses, and the City of Missoula removed the option for misdemeanor probation post-COVID-19.
Due to the state-level threshold for felony theft, the Missoula County Attorney’s office is limited to imposing fines for most shoplifting cases.
A misdemeanor theft charge, regardless of repeat offenses, will not lead to jail time.
Claire Peterson
Jennings notes that without the ability to charge offenders with a felony, there is little incentive for them to cease criminal behavior.
Addressing the root cause of the issue is essential to ensure that offenders receive appropriate punishment and support to prevent reoffending.
At a roundtable meeting organized by the Missoula Chamber of Commerce, businesses shared their experiences and concerns with the County Attorney’s Office and the Missoula Police Department.
The focus was on finding solutions and working collaboratively to address the escalating property crime rates in Missoula.
Claire Peterson
