Woke Brooklyn lawmaker suggests shoplifting should be LEGALIZED because thieves have 'biological need' for the things they steal

UK Daily Mail ^ | 08/15/2026 | JIMMY MCCLOSKEY

[DFG]

A progressive New York City lawmaker says shoplifters should be left in peace to steal items like toothpaste and soap.

Emily Gallagher - a Democrat Socialist member of the New York State assembly - shared a clip on her X account that also villainized drugstores, which have been forced to lock products in plexiglass cases because of rampant theft.

Gallagher wrote that 'no one should be arrested - much less jailed' for stealing toothpaste' and said in a speech that such thefts were just 'crimes of poverty.'

Speaking at an event, she continued: 'People who were stealing things like toothpaste, people who were stealing things like soap.

'And that means if you're stealing those things, you need them.

'And we are choosing to protect billion dollar companies like CVS and Walgreens over the people who are struggling to get by.'

Gallagher represents NYC's District 50, which comprises the wealthy Brooklyn neighborhoods of Williamsburg and Greenpoint.

Many residents of New York and other big cities have complained that soft-on-crime policies such as those pushed by Gallagher have worsened their quality of life.

The drug store chains she sought to villainize now lock tens of thousands of everyday products in cases, which can only be opened by staff forced to endure regular abuse and anti-social behavior.

But Gallagher was unrepentant and continued: 'I would say that the true crime is that there is such incredible wealth disparity in this city.

'That there are people who can be thrown in jail simply for having a biological need.'

Gallagher said she would push for 'treatment not jail' punishments.

She urged her fellow progressives to 'hold the line' on criminal justice reform policies that have passed and which she claims are being 'threatened by right-wing media looking to fearmonger.'

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TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: emilygallagher; shoplifting; socialist

[CandyFloss]

Biological need to steal? That’s a new low even for the progressive left.

Turning crime into a medical condition just excuses lawlessness and punishes the people who actually follow the rules.

Stores and honest citizens shouldn’t have to subsidize this nonsense.

[cpdiii]

Would you hit it Laz?

[Libloather]

Gonna need a biologist to figure out all this.

[whitney69]

The moment you determine a theft to be a crime of poverty you make it a crime of welfare. And even if the taxes are not involved, the increased price by the seller is to cover their spoilage. So, someone is paying the bill just like welfare. And the insurance claims will go up for the sellers that add more bulk charges for the consumer. Everyone tosses extra money away for criminals...except the criminals.

wy69

[Thank You Rush]

“”Gallagher said she would push for ‘treatment not jail’ punishments.””

What TREATMENT does she think is appropriate for thieves?

I think NY would be better off LOCKING up the food this woman eats!

[Carl Vehse]

Reopen the loony bins!! Here’s a batcrap crazy woketardian; she’ll need a straitjacket and a padded cell.

[chopperk]

Post her address so squatters have a place to go.

[OttawaFreeper]

Gee, I must have a biological need for a new $2000 TV at the nearby Best Buy. Funny that these people also do not trust citizens with firearms.

[ridesthemiles]

SHE IS STEALING MATERIAL NEEDED FOR OTHER PEOPLE’S CLOTHES

[IYAS9YAS]

I have a biological need to bury shoplifters in pig shit. What about my needs?!?

[Gnome1949]

I need a new pickup truck. May I just steal it?

[ridesthemiles]

WALL STREET IS HEADED FOR TEXAS.....

[PeterPrinciple]

https://www.coaching-online.org/biological-needs/

Basic Physiological Needs
Air
Food
Drink
Shelter
Warmth
Sleep

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toothpaste not on the list

[Danie_2023]

“”’And that means if you’re stealing those things, you need them.

‘And we are choosing to protect billion dollar companies like CVS and Walgreens over the people who are struggling to get by.’””

***

Every day it’s some new exposure of cretins like this and their insanity. Honestly... the level of stupidity and evil is staggering and sickening. Truly. God help us.

[Mastador1]

No problem, she can put her money where her enormous mouth is and reimburse every store for the shoplifted items.

[fso301]

Woke Brooklyn lawmaker suggests shoplifting should be LEGALIZED because thieves have 'biological need' for the things they steal

I do recall reading accounts from life under communism that theft was rampant in part because of a belief that what your neighbor may have had did not actually belong to your neighbor.

[WhiteHatBobby0701]

You own nothing, state owns it all. That’s their attitude.

[Aria]

What’s weird is that they’re still convinced they’re superior to the rest of us.

[LouAvul]

Absolute stereotypical fat, white, ugly, college educated liberal. Low IQ, not knowing that her retarded idea has been implemented elsewhere, the result being all the stores in the area are closing.

[Labyrinthos]

Speaking at an event, she continued: 'People who were stealing things like toothpaste, people who were stealing things like soap. And that means if you're stealing those things, you need them.

Not quite. They steal so they can resell the stolen goods on the street at half price and then use the money to buy drugs.