A New York democratic socialist lawmaker’s claim that shoplifting stems from a “biological need” has sparked a flurry of raised eyebrows and verbal side-eye.
Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher argued this week that cracking down hard on theft of humble items like soap and toothpaste is missing the point, declaring the real crime to be the city’s staggering wealth gap, where someone can end up behind bars simply for needing to brush their teeth or take a shower.
Former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg was quick to counter, telling Fox News Digital that while poverty might help explain a misdeed, it’s not a golden ticket to stroll out of the store with unpaid shampoo.
He added that prosecution doesn’t always equal jail time and pointed out there are gentler options for first-time sticky-fingered offenders. SOURCE
