City Council advances stricter sentencing for theft

In a strong 6–1 vote at Tuesday night's Bellevue City Council meeting, councilmembers directed staff to draft an ordinance establishing mandatory minimum sentencing for repeat theft offenders. This important step for the legislation, championed by Councilmember Jared Nieuwenhuis, marks a significant milestone in Bellevue’s efforts to address organized and habitual retail crime.

Bellevue Police and prosecutors have made theft enforcement a priority, driving down arrests over the past two years. However, theft remains prevalent, with many businesses under siege by organized retail theft.

A Priority for the Business Community

The Bellevue Chamber has made retail theft a priority issue on behalf of our members, as our annual VIBe (Voter Insights Bellevue) survey found 90% of Bellevue voters supported the policy. Support for action has been strong and broad-based, with NAIOP, the Washington Retail Association, The Bellevue Collection, and many small retailers calling for a targeted, effective response.

The Chamber's Policy Committee received several briefings on the matter, and formally supported the proposal at its recent June meeting.

“Bellevue's budget is dependent on retail sales tax, and our reputation depends on keeping our streets, homes, and stores safe," said Bellevue Chamber President & CEO, Joe Fain. "This policy is narrowly tailored to address habitual offenders and organized retail theft. It sends a strong signal to the rest of the region that Bellevue is open for business, unless your business is stealing other people's things.”

A Balanced Approach

Alongside Councilmember Nieuwenhuis’s leadership, Councilmember Vishal Bhargava and Mayor Lynne Robinson co-offered an amendment to ensure substance use and mental health treatment offerings were available to defendants facing these enhanced sentences. Mayor Robinson brought this forward after discussions with the Mayor of Marysville, where a similar measure was enacted in 2023 and expanded in 2024. (Bellevue staff also reviewed other jurisdictions’ approaches, including Everett and Marysville).

Potentially Falling — But Still High — Rates of Retail Theft

What’s in the Draft Framework?

The proposal focuses on the crimes most impactful to Bellevue — Theft in the third degree (shoplifting, theft from mail, and other misdemeanor thefts). To address habitual offenders, it applies to individuals 18+ with two or more theft convictions within the past two years, and sets a 30-day mandatory minimum jail sentence upon conviction.

The framework preserves judicial discretion: Courts may order electronic home monitoring if there is substantial risk of harm, and eligible defendants may participate in diversion programs.