A blitz to fight retail theft and workplace violence in San Joaquin County is being rolled out in Manteca on Monday and Tuesday.

And it includes the ability of small, non-corporate businesses to secure free grants for up to $2,000 to purchase and install security cameras.

The STAART (Stockton Takes Action Against Retail Theft) funded by San Joaquin County events include:

*A seminar from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 12. at the Manteca Unified RESC Building, 2271 Louise Ave., on how to apply for the camera grant and the use of the STAART app that will allow businesses to connect with law enforcement and the district attorney.

*The unveiling from noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Aug, 12, of the STAART billboard at South Powers Avenue and Moffat Boulevard.

*A workshop from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 13, at Less Lethal California, 17981 Ideal Parkway, provides strategies for preventing workplace violence, tips for being an effective witness, and the nuances of SB 553 that spells out state law dealing with  workplace violence.

The three endeavors are a joint effort of the Manteca Chamber of Commerce and Stockton Chamber of Commerce.

The billboards declaring “If you steal in San Joaquin County we prosecute” are poppling up throughout San Joaquin County.

It is part of a $1.3 million effort being funded by San Joaquin County to aggressively push back against retail theft.

The program includes grants up to $2,000 on a one-time basis for small businesses throughout county for camera systems on a first-come, first-served basis.

When coupled with an app that is being rolled out to allow store owners to directly upload videos with accompanying information to the District Attorney’s office, it will increase the probability of criminals being prosecuted.

And it doesn’t matter if the theft is $10 and  a misdemeanor or a felony based on $950 plus in stolen items in one incident or accumulative between various incidents.

San Joaquin County under the leadership of District Attorney Ron Freitas and his office are prosecuting.

They have been successfully working with the courts to bundle what would be misdemeanors together from various incidents that they can tie a suspect to in order to secure felony convictions that have resulted in jail time.

Videos of thefts help to identify suspects and connect them to multiple incidents leading to successful prosecutions.

The effort by the county is being spearheaded by the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce via its STAART program countywide.

The grant is part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and must be used to respond to the negative impacts of the public health emergency (COVID-19) including aid to impacted industries.

The STAART program is a retail theft initiative designed to tackle the serious epidemic that is currently wreaking havoc on the business community, resulting in substantial financial losses, wasted time, and diminished future revenue.

By building upon existing initiatives aimed at combating retail theft in San Joaquin County, the STAART program takes a proactive approach to engage in activities and strategies aimed at mitigating crime effectively.

The Stockton chamber can be contacted at (209) 547-2770 or by emailing STAART@stocktonchamber.org

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabuletin.com