Smash & Grab to become designated felony under new Senate bill
In 2006, there were 17 so-called “smash and grab” burglaries in Atlanta, causing more than $51,000 in damages and losses.
By 2008, according to Sen. Preston Smith, that number jumped to 130 such burglaries with more than $1.4 million worth of windows broken and fancy sunglasses and hip jeans stolen.
“This has become a prolific activity,” said Smith of Rome. “Especially in Atlanta.”
To combat the sudden wave of activity, Smith passed legislation in the Georgia Senate on Wednesday that would actually make smash and grab a new crime and a designated felony act.
Senate Bill 423 creates a new statute in Georgia law that defines smash and grab burglaries as entering a retail establishment without authority with the intent to commit theft and causing more than $500 of damage. Under this legislation, these burglaries will be considered a felony, punishable from two to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine. A second conviction carries a prison term of five to 20 years and/or a $100,000 fine.
Previously, property damage and burglary were two separate crimes. Juveniles, many of whom were committing these crimes, were rarely, if ever charged, because of their ages.
Now, under SB 423, burglars under 17 would be charged with a designated felony in juvenile court and could face the toughest legal penalties, Smith said.
Smith estimates that of the 363 retail burglaries in 2008, about 44 percent of them were smash and grab.
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64 comments Add your comment
Junior Samples
March 24th, 2010
2:22 pm
Now if they’ll just vote on the matters at hand…
YO
March 24th, 2010
2:22 pm
I think they should take these thugs out to the ocean and throw them in weighted down with a cement block chained to their feet.
People For A Thugless Society
March 24th, 2010
2:25 pm
Lock ‘em up – throw away the key.
AT
March 24th, 2010
2:26 pm
I thought the Senate already passed Health care.
Obama
March 24th, 2010
2:33 pm
Well guys, they obviously needed these 37 pairs of jeans and multiple plasma flatscreen TVs more than the store! That’s the only reason they took them.
They should be rewarded for providing for their family with all of these nice things.
TI
March 24th, 2010
2:41 pm
I get to ride Marta home with some of them daily.
RoboCop
March 24th, 2010
2:51 pm
Good! Lock em all up and forget about their sorry butt’s. I’m so sick of this crap in our city. Oh wait, they’re poor, they don’t know any better…..BS!!! You CHOOSE to thug around. I don’t care about your situation…STOP MAKING EXCUSES! I though ya’ll would stop making excuses when Obama got in office….but once again, you prove what you truely are.
Rob
March 24th, 2010
2:53 pm
So let me get this straight, in 2008 a smash-n-grab crime would put a person in jail because of their age?
django
March 24th, 2010
2:54 pm
Its amazing how quickly they can hand down legislation to punish misguided children…with heavy handed draconian measures, yet issues like MARTA, Jobs and the overwhelming foreclosures go ignored or are used as political footballs…the GA legislature is completely misguided, out of touch and steeped in archaic ideology…
commoncents
March 24th, 2010
2:57 pm
About time we stop letting these delinquents get a slap on the hand from mommy and daddy (some probably get less) after being picked up from the police waiting room, and instead let them get knocked in the head with a cell door. I’m willing to bet most of these robberies are committed by repeat offenders anyways
Really?
March 24th, 2010
3:00 pm
django… you, my friend, are an idiot…misguided children? Really?
commoncents
March 24th, 2010
3:04 pm
misguided child = stealing a can of coke and not causing damage, NOT driving a car through a mall entrance or throwing a rock through a window to steal $$,$$$ worth of jeans, tvs etc.
People For A Thugless Society (PFATS)
March 24th, 2010
3:06 pm
Poor misguided children breaking windows with bricks and driving vehicles through store windows to cart away jeans and TV’s – oh, boo-hoo, boo-hoo! I agree with the last poster – you, django, are an idiot.
Larry
March 24th, 2010
3:12 pm
django I completely agree with you. The issues you find important should be addressed. We should close the tax dollar black hole known as MARTA. We should remove government from any influence on the free market (including the jobs you mentioned). Finally, we should rescue taxpayers from paying for their own homes AND the homes of those people who bought more than they could afford. I agree with you. These issues should be addressed.
But, misguided children? Really now, can you say delinquent?
PMC
March 24th, 2010
3:14 pm
Great… now if only we could stop producing so many bad children….
Work camps would be better than prison though.
Ayala
March 24th, 2010
3:14 pm
So let me get this straight, a MINOR who commits theft and property damage will now potentially face more jail time than an adult murderer? I agree with django. And even more, the legislature is perpetuating criminal activity with this new bill. If a 14 year old is charged with a felony offense, not only is he/she sent to adult prison, to obtain all types of criminal behavior previously unknown to them, they will have a permanent mark against them that will permanently stunt any educational and career endeavors.
Ridiculous!
Ayala
March 24th, 2010
3:15 pm
So let me get this straight, a MINOR who commits theft and property damage will now potentially face more jail time than an adult murderer? I agree with django. And even more, the legislature is perpetuating criminal activity with this new bill. If a 14 year old is charged with a felony offense, not only is he/she sent to adult prison, to obtain all types of criminal behavior previously unknown to them, they will have a permanent mark against them that will permanently stunt any educational and career endeavors.
Honky Talkin'
March 24th, 2010
3:18 pm
They should be charged with a felony. These gangs recruit 14-16 year old thugs because they think they won’t be tried as adults.
The APD Gang Unit has actually done a good job lately. 30 Deep has taken some hits for a change. They could occupy their own wing of a prison and hopefully kill each other off!
People For A Thugless Society (PFATS)
March 24th, 2010
3:19 pm
Ayala – I, too, worry that these young thugs will learn more criminal behavior while in adult prison – all the more reason to lock them up and throw away the key and never let them back out into society.
Honky Talkin'
March 24th, 2010
3:20 pm
To Ayala: They don’t have educational or career endeavors because the parents don’t give a crap. Prison is where they need to be.
Really?
March 24th, 2010
3:20 pm
@Ayala….If they don’t want to serve jail time, here’s an idea…DON”T COMMIT THEFT AND PROPERTY DAMAGE…the problem isn’t the system, the problem is people blaming the system for their crimes
Demi
March 24th, 2010
3:21 pm
YO, you are sick.
Church of the Painul Truth
March 24th, 2010
3:21 pm
So what’s next on the agenda…How about a law where we put kids in JAIL for drinking under age…lets see if we police around the campus of UGA and round them up and make that a felony…OH WAIT…now that would mean putting WHITE kids in jail….can’t have that…And before you mention the $$ amount of damage…tell that to the parents of the person that drunk student kills on the road…
This law is just another wasteful use of our tax dollars to address a problem with stupid “Bible belt” philosophy…
GA is full of idiots
March 24th, 2010
3:22 pm
Why do you idiots feel the solution to crime is jail? Why not educate a man to feed himself and teach him to have moral/values? Why incarcerate a young man, who we(tax payers) end up taking care of for the next 5-20 years just to commit the crime again? Politicians make laws according to its constituents. We obviously have some very dumb citizens who rather spend money to take care of a man, instead of spend less to show a man to take care of himself. We must change our mentality. Jail is not the answer. Education is the key. Unless it’s designed to keep money in the prison system and law enforcement. Which is why Perdue is subsidizing teachers pay and cutting money to Colleges and Universities. We must find better methods to solve crime. Cause “eye for an eye” ain’t working.
Really?
March 24th, 2010
3:23 pm
well…it lasted an hour before someone played the race card
Billy
March 24th, 2010
3:26 pm
I guess if the parents can’t do it. Maybe that will. Oh by the way don’t get mad that these kids are so bad, I grew up where kids were getting A** Whoopings with switches, extension cords, etc. However nowadays, you go to jail for this. So don’t complain when the kids act a complete fool. These kids have no concept of consequence and recourse. And yes ALL people that made spankings a crime and allow Dfacs to take the kids are at fault for all these criminals.
time out corners don’t work! Thats why teachers are so scared. We used to get our bottoms torn up by neighbors, teachers, etc. But now everybody is just trying to make excuses. Our society is screwed!!
Really?
March 24th, 2010
3:27 pm
@GA is full of idiots….you must be a politician b/c what you said sounds good, but there is no way to educate “young men” who don’t want to be educated and don’t want to stop commiting crimes…they are not stealing to feed their families, they are stealing to get what they need to look like “generic rapper X”
Mr. Nobody
March 24th, 2010
3:29 pm
Ayala-
Don’t know about your adult murderer comparison, however, you stated “If a 14 year old is charged with a felony offense, not only is he/she sent to adult prison, to obtain all types of criminal behavior previously unknown to them,”….are you kidding me? Prison isn’t such a bad place for kids who are doing this type of activity…maybe they will change their mind about who they choose to hang with and the choices they make while there. And what the hell do you think theses kids will learn in prison that they haven’t already learned in a gang?
It's a Hard Knock Life
March 24th, 2010
3:32 pm
Though it’s probable that stiffer sentencing will curb some theft, wouldn’t education and employment work better? Though I don’t buy the “providing for the family” argument I believe these kids need opportunity. A lot of these kids have no role models, no pappy, no mother because she’s working, no jobs, no activities, no hope…
Let’s say the daily rate for incarceration is around $50… How much is it to educate? I know reform for individuals far outweighs incarceration, but most children under the age of 14 can be taught right from wrong.
Lock 'em up
March 24th, 2010
3:33 pm
I like “YO’s” suggestion the best. Though it would be more efficient to force them into shipping containers and push them overboard over the continental shelf. Buh-bye…
Church of the Painful Truth
March 24th, 2010
3:34 pm
You can say it’s a race card, but you know that this legislature was targeted to a few gangs that have been doing these crimes…and yes they are Black. I’m saying that you don’t legislate against a group of people and call it “fair and honest” effort solution to a problem.
How about getting rid of the bogus education funding “by the local taxes” and it’s a PUBLIC school. All taxes generated should be spread throughout the county. Maybe that would put a dent in schools being UNDER funded and decrease crime.
Oh wait…can’t do that…then some of your tax dollars would ACTUALLY help out the ENTIRE community and make society as a whole better and not just your slice of the county. I’m sure you see that as socialism.
Mr. Nobody
March 24th, 2010
3:34 pm
Church of the Painul Truth-
It’s all good ’til one of those “kid” gangbangers does something to you!
Mr. Nobody
March 24th, 2010
3:37 pm
Church of the Painul Truth- Are you mad at this country’s past racial inequalities??? Or are you mad at your father?
Officer
March 24th, 2010
3:39 pm
This is a joke! There are already laws on the books to punish these criminals. The system is giving them probation after probation. They are going to continue to give these criminals probation. Fulton County is a joke on the juvenile and adult level. Crime pays in Fulton County. It’s the same criminals committing crimes over and over again.
lulu
March 24th, 2010
3:40 pm
Despite what some have said, there is no shortage of gang activity here. Typically, the older guys who run the gangs prey on young kids because they know they can influence them to commit crimes and they KNOW they won’t be prosecuted due to their age.
I don’t think it’s the best solution, but I don’t know what would be better, because there is no way I can see that polite society is going to have more of an impact on these youths than the gang bangers who practically raise them. Everything they see shows them that they can take what they want with few or no consequences, even if they’re caught. Education may be key, but we obviously need some bigger guns (pun mostly unintended) to get the attention of these kids.
django
March 24th, 2010
3:44 pm
The vitriol..is intense…now lets see how the ‘lock them up crowd’ are going to feel when their child/neighbor in face this new bill…shoplifiting happens everywhere regardless of income, status or race.
Further the cost for keeping these ppl in jail for petty crimes versus rehabilitation is overwhelming, the jails are crowded enough as it is, so we should spend $100K per year to house, feed and train future criminals for petty crimes? Try to think it thru rather than reacting..there is a fiscal, moral and social impact to this legislation.
Are we going to be a nation of jails and martial law? Or are we going to invest in the youth provide opportunities and offer a way out of their misguided choice? Which is more productive?
TrueBlue
March 24th, 2010
3:44 pm
@ Real, well put. I know a few of 30 deep gang members when they were younger (around ages 8-11)they are not committing crime to survive, they are committing crime to wear designer gear, suit of their old impalas, caddy’s, etc.
Someone mentioned education is the answer, these kids donot want to go to school. Education is free.
Church of the Painful Truth
March 24th, 2010
3:45 pm
I agree @Officer
You don’t need to legislate what’s on the books. Personally I think the education in GA sucks as a whole and what it does is create an environment in a lot of areas where education just isn’t a priority…it’s moreso on fashion, lyrics, sports and other bafoonery (if that’s a word)…
Zeus
March 24th, 2010
3:47 pm
django, they aren’t talking about shoplifting, they are talking about burglary with property damage aka smash and grab
The Chicago Way
March 24th, 2010
3:48 pm
When will all the failed bank CEOs get their day in court?
If it wasn’t for that socialist FDIC, a lot of Georgians would be salty!
Church of the Painful Truth
March 24th, 2010
3:49 pm
@Zeus…then what happens is they learn to pick locks…then what…do we change the law again to “pick and grab” legislation? Basically like Officer said…it’s completely stupid…and a waste of OUR tax dollars to create a law for a new trend of crime in this bad economy.
Zeus
March 24th, 2010
3:56 pm
@church…don’t change the law, just make a new one…lol
Excuse me??
March 24th, 2010
3:57 pm
Uh, Church of the Painful Truth – you draw some wild analogy that by UNDER FUNDING public education there is an increase in crime caused by individuals that reside in the lower socio-economic scale, correct?
The educators in our school system are not responsible for teaching children moral behavior. That is the parent’s responsibility and nowadays, no parent gets a pass for not knowing how to raise a child. There is broad access to resources, schooling and libraries in this country. If you need help in the United States, there are hundreds of dedicated organizations willing to assist a child or family in need. Color of your skin is always an issue but never a barrier that is impossible to overcome…just ask a single white woman raising a multi-racial son….if she was alive, she would call her son, “Mr.President”
Criminals are criminals and they must be punished.
Really?
March 24th, 2010
4:01 pm
@Excuse…I like that argument
Church of the Painful Truth
March 24th, 2010
4:02 pm
Well schools with half the resources of other schools do have a higher rate of dropout…they don’t have sufficient supplies…so how can a kid get a decent education if they at the least don’t have a BOOK of their own to take home to study???
I agree parents are the main point…but it’s also with a proper education that the likelyhood of them turning into gang banger is IMHO substantially lower…I would believe that those from that 30 deep gang aren’t attending school on the regular…
publish the state budget
March 24th, 2010
4:11 pm
As written here, with both intent to committ a crime and actual damages over $500, I’d be for the death penalty. No sense wasting taxpayer money rehabilitating people who are beyond hope.
Decatur is Home
March 24th, 2010
4:13 pm
Wow! Talk about screwing up a kids life for a crime that doesn’t bring about bodily harm. While I think the crime is foolish and deserves a proper punishment, but felony? Really?
publish the state budget
March 24th, 2010
4:14 pm
Django – That’s why the $500 floor of actual damages is there. It’s no longer petty at that point. Nobody’s getting a felony for stealing a loaf of bread to feed their starving family, but stealing a case full of designer sunglasses is significant.
slick
March 24th, 2010
4:14 pm
Youth don’t go to adult jail regardless of their crime. They may get adult sentences, but are housed at juvenile jails (YDC) until they turn 17. Furthermore, juvenile YDCs have schools and are an accredited school system. They can get all the schooling they want – which sadly is very little based on my experience.
Hammer Time
March 24th, 2010
4:19 pm
You break into my house it is immediately punishable by death. That’s what will rehabilitate these thugs.
KID
March 24th, 2010
4:21 pm
Its also way overdue for thugs littering our city with GRAFITI be treated as felons. When it affects property values, IT IS A CRIME. Do we not have police in this city??????
Jason
March 24th, 2010
4:24 pm
GRAFITI? Talk about a crime that benefits no one and should warrant a death penalty. “Decatur is Home”, your dumb as a box of rock, really.
APD? Anyone home? Anyone? Anyone?
March 24th, 2010
4:27 pm
No Kid, there is no police department in this city. Can’t you tell by all the juvenile graffiti from top to bottom and any every area, building?
Scott Anderson
March 24th, 2010
4:28 pm
Lock them up . Who cares if they are going to learn more criminal activity . At least they got 20 years where we don’t have to worry about them thugging us citizens.
This should stop this smash and grab all the time.
100 K fine. How would they ever pay that off ?
Pants on the ground , dont be a fool.
WHAT
March 24th, 2010
4:39 pm
What about transportation, schools, marta, …..etc? I know that the state has more pressing problems than to legislate smash and grab. GO FISH!!!!!
trippin
March 24th, 2010
4:41 pm
Cmon, these little knuckleheads deserve this time if not more. They know what they are doing is wrong and half probably dropped out of school years ago so the education argument is not going to work. Better to grab them young before they run up in your crib!
Maggie
March 24th, 2010
4:52 pm
It is really easy to blame individual children for their bad behavior. I think a more sociological and perceptive approach would be to explore the reasons behind these children’s behaviors such as poverty rates, failing schools, residential segregation, the race-wealth gap, etc. If we focus soley on locking up individual children rather than solving the underlying structural causes of their bad behavior, we will be making absolutely no progress as a society or local community whatsoever.
Johnny Reb
March 24th, 2010
4:53 pm
These hoodlums are responsible for the new law. If they don’t want to go to do the time, don’t do the crime. It’s their choice.
WHAT, are you crazy or WHAT?
publish the state budget
March 24th, 2010
4:58 pm
What & Maggie – You are completely missing the point. The reason we have government is to prevent exactly this type of behavior. Execute a few of these criminals when they are caught in the act of organized gang behavior, and these gangs will fall apart. It’s amazing the way large segments of our society has become too sensitive to even agree with punishing criminals anymore. These aren’t little boys stealing a pack of gum because they don’t know any better. These are professional thieves.
uberVU - social comments
March 24th, 2010
6:01 pm
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by ruby_beth: RT @ajc: Ga. Senate passes bill that would make ’smash and grab’ burglary a felony. http://bit.ly/aa3ANX…
Brian Hunt
March 24th, 2010
6:11 pm
So they just wasted time passing a new law for something that could be handled by simply using laws that already exist? Is that progress?
Redirect
March 24th, 2010
6:22 pm
You all are missing the point. We need to outlaw expensive jeans so people will not steal them anymore. Make it a felony to charge more than $20 for a pair of jeans. Or better yet, if they buy a pair of expensive jeans, make them buy an extra pair for someone who cannot afford pants.
Hang 'em
March 24th, 2010
9:01 pm
The last I heard it costs somewhere around $40,000 a year to incarcerate somebody and they are talking about doing this for 20 years? Do the math. Is this scum worth that much money from our wallets? Build a gallows at the center of every town and hang this scum and leave them swinging there for days as a reminder to the rest of the scum what is to come to them.
THE Blue Jean Bandits
March 25th, 2010
2:24 pm
Oooh, isn’t that just adorable, someone made a law just for us. We’ll make sure to take note of that….after our next string of wild and violent robberies, of course. Where are those cops again?