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Aurora ordinance would make jail time mandatory for most retail theft convictions

The Aurora ordinance, which passed its first reading, would require jail time for anyone convicted of retail theft valued at $100 or more.

AURORA, Colo. — A majority of Aurora City Council members are supporting an ordinance that would require people convicted of retail theft that amounts to $100 or more to go to jail. 

Some business owners in Aurora said retail theft has increased since the pandemic. 

"We get hit sometimes three times a week, sometimes once every three weeks, but it is on a regular basis," Donovan Welsh, the owner of three NAPA auto parts stores in Aurora, said. "We had two of our guys go into a hospital who got beat during a shoplifting."

Welsh said shoplifting has gotten so bad, they've had to move some of their inventory to the back. He said that's why word of the new ordinance opens the door to some relief. 

The Aurora ordinance that passed its first reading would require jail time for anyone convicted of retail theft valued at $100 or more. The first offense would be a mandatory minimum of three days in jail, a second offense would mean 90 days and a third offense would mean 180 days behind bars. 

"We want our customers to feel safe when they come in, and having a law that gives consequences immediately helps us do that," Welsh said.

Not everyone agrees with him. Some feel it will hurt more than it will help. 

"It doesn't stop other people from subsequently committing crimes," said Aurora City Council member Alison Coombs, who voted against the ordinance. 

She said studies show it won't stop people from reoffending. She also worries about the financial impact an ordinance like this will make. 

"Seems like we're going to be putting a lot of resources into something that is unlikely to be effective," she said. "Incarceration is incredibly expensive. Neither Arapahoe or Adams County has the capacity to jail the folks. We’re all going to be spending a lot more money to hold people a couple of days in an instance where it’s not going to create a significant deterrent effect, and we’re not going to have those funds to spend on other services that can help us improve safety in the community in meaningful and effective ways." 

Welsh disagrees with that sentiment. 

"Run a business," he said to those against this ordinance. "Inventory loss does cost us." 

"We want people to know there are consequences for your decisions," he said. 

This ordinance passed its first reading 7 to 3. It will have its second reading next week. Coombs said if it passes, there's a 30-day period in which anyone who wants to legally challenge the ordinance can. If it is not challenged, then it will take effect once those 30 days are up. 

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