NYPD Diaper Shoplifting Bust Tweet Spurs Uproar

NEW YORK CITY — An NYPD tweet meant to highlight a big Bronx shoplifting bust backfired when New Yorkers took a gander at the recovered goods: diapers, cough medicine, soap and other health necessities.

The official @NYPDNews Twitter account quietly deleted the post Wednesday, but that didn't stop an online furor from growing.

"The NYPD deleted this tweet, but the fact is they proudly displayed having caught people who took diapers and cough medicine," tweeted Eliza Orlins, a public defender.

"Basic. Necessities. This is not public safety. This is cruelty on display."

Shoplifting has become a growing problem for many New York City stores.

Reports of petit larceny — the most common charge for shoplifting — rose roughly 26 percent in Manhattan during the first weeks of 2022 compared to the same time last year, NYPD data shows.

The thefts have become the subject of viral videos — including one shot by actor Michael Rapaport — and prompted many retailers to lock up goods to prevent them from becoming five-finger discounts.

NYPD officials, in addition to a Manhattan district attorney-led alliance, have stepped up anti-shoplifting measures. The now-deleted tweet highlighted one such effort by the 44th Precinct in the Bronx.

It stated that officers arrested 12 people "following an enforcement initiative targeting shoplifters."

"The arrests made led to the closure of 23 warrants & the recovery of $1800 worth of merchandise," the tweet stated.

But many people looked at the busts and sarcastically congratulated the NYPD.

"Thank you for your service NYPD! Our city simply CANNOT have underpaid people caring for their babies!" tweeted @martin_nolan.

"NYPD should be proud. They recovered $1800 worth of diapers, soap, and cough medicine. Thank you for your service," tweeted @hahnscratch.

"Imagine being proud of potentially ruining people’s lives over diapers," tweeted @LaurenVegaNYC.

Others defended the NYPD.

"I doubt people who actually need this stuff stole it. The people who did will go sell it on the street for a higher price," tweeted @jahneilyweily.

"Stealing is WRONG. No matter the necessity. If you feel so bad for them go ahead and give them free diapers, etc.," tweeted @AMira_FL.

Patch sought comment from NYPD officials, who in turn emailed a list of the 12 people arrested, along with their past arrests.

Nine were arrested in the past on suspicion of petit larceny, the email states. Other offenses for which some, but not all, faced arrest were strangulation and robbery.