Shoplifting in Missoula has nearly doubled since 2020

MISSOULA — Stolen merchandise can be a costly problem for business owners, and shoplifting is on the rise in Missoula.

Over the past four years, shoplifting in Missoula has nearly doubled, leading 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.

Recent data from the Board of Crime Control shows 600 shoplifting reports in Missoula in 2020 and 1185 reports in 2023.

Jennings attributes the increase to changes in shoplifting charge policies.

Shoplifting incidents under $1,500 are considered misdemeanors, resulting in fines rather than jail time. The lack of felony charges for repeat offenders poses a challenge in deterring further criminal behavior.

Jennings emphasizes the need to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions while addressing underlying issues that contribute to criminal behavior.

Without the option to charge offenders with felonies, there is little incentive for them to cease criminal activity, Jennings notes.

A felony conviction allows for more resources to help both punish and support individuals involved in criminal actions. This approach can include mandatory counseling for drug and alcohol abuse and probation.

While property crime rates have risen in Missoula, Jennings points out that most crimes are committed by a small group of people.

Long-standing businesses have noticed a shift in Missoula, such as Brandon Bretz, who has seen a significant increase in theft at Bretz RV & Marine over the past four years.

For Bretz, the rise in theft has negatively impacted his business, resulting in substantial financial losses in both stolen goods and increased insurance costs.

Claire Peterson

Responding to concerns raised by businesses like Bretz RV & Marine, Mark Losh, president of the Missoula Chamber of Commerce, organized a property crime roundtable discussion.

During the event, businesses shared their experiences and engaged with the County Attorney’s Office and the Missoula Police Department to find viable solutions.

Losh stresses the importance of offering solutions alongside voicing concerns to address property crime effectively.

The Chamber of Commerce plans to host another property crime discussion in July, aiming to collaborate with other chambers of commerce across the state to advocate for legislative changes.

Claire Peterson

Jennings emphasizes addressing the root cause of the problem to craft effective solutions.

“Punishment alone won’t necessarily deter future criminal behavior, but providing social services alone won’t correct the behavior either,” he explains.

Businesses at the roundtable discussion gained insights into the prosecution process and how they can collaborate with law enforcement to combat property crime.

For instance, active involvement of the victim during the legal proceedings can influence the severity of the punishment imposed on the perpetrator.

Branding repeated offenders as “trespassed” is another strategy for businesses, which involves formally barring individuals from their premises to prevent further theft or assault.

If a “trespassed” individual violates the ban, they can face burglary charges, a felony offense reserved for serious cases of theft.

While preventing theft in real-time may be challenging for small retail shops, collaboration with law enforcement and strategic measures like labeling repeat offenders can enhance security.

Ultimately, addressing the escalating property crime rates in Missoula will require a multifaceted approach, possibly including revisiting the criteria for felony charges and increasing resources for misdemeanor offenses.

“We have many tools at our disposal already; perhaps it’s a matter of utilizing them effectively,” Jennings concludes.