How many times is CNN going to tell us shoplifting is really down this time? This is about the fifth time in recent years. Maybe they will all clap and wish hard enough this time. 

Coming out of the pandemic, many retail chains, political leaders, law enforcement officials and others told America there was an unprecedented level of shoplifting.

Shoplifting became a political lighting rod, and videos of thieves smashing store windows and grabbing merchandise rocketed across the news and social media as a symbol of a breakdown across cities.

But national crime data never showed a retail theft wave, though shoplifting did spike in certain cities like New York.

William Blair retail analysts in 2023 suggested that chains had “overexaggerated” the impact, using it as an excuse for inventory mismanagement and strategic mistakes. Walgreens’ then-chief financial officer even said “maybe we cried too much” about lost merchandise and overspent on security measures.

Maybe this is why shoplifting is down. If everything is locked down, it's hard to steal it. 

Maybe a reporter should dig into that. 

It's like living inside a giant vending machine and the consumer has to hope they can find someone to get it out of the machine for them. 

Oh, two years ago, he was announcing shoplifting was over, as well. Look at that!

When a Democrat says things are getting better, most of the time it is opposite day.

Editor's Note: The mainstream media continues to deflect, gaslight, spin, and lie about President Trump, his administration, and conservatives.

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