The penalty for stealing $300 or more items from local businesses will now face a mandatory 3-day jail sentence. | fsHH/Pixabay
The penalty for stealing $300 or more items from local businesses will now face a mandatory 3-day jail sentence. | fsHH/Pixabay
On Sept. 26, the Aurora City Council passed a new ordinance that allows jail time for some shoplifters.
According to Sentinel Colorado, Danielle Jurinsky, at-large council member, was the sponsor of the ordinance that imposes jail time for shoplifters who are convicted of stealing $300 or more from businesses in the community. The council first voted on this ordinance on Sept. 13.
KDVR News reported that businesses in the city have reported losses of up to $50,000 at this point in the year.
"I hope that we send a message that if you come to Aurora and you steal anything you will go to jail," Jurinsky said, KDVR News reported.
The penalty for stealing $300 or more items from local businesses will face a mandatory 3-day jail sentence after the Sept. 26 vote, which was 6-4, Sentinel reported. The mandatory jail time does not apply to juveniles who shoplift.
“This ordinance is really to start standing up for business owners in this city and start talking about the victims, and addressing something to help the victims, and stop doing everything in our power to help the criminals,” Jurinsky said, according to Sentinel.
Councilmember Juan Marcano disagreed with the decision and stated that instead of jail time, diversion and prevention programs would be more effective at deterring shoplifting.
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