Charities say it's hard to prevent thefts from clothes collection bins
Sixteen people have been arrested for allegedly stealing more than a half-million pounds of clothing donated to charity, targeting bins owned by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Long Island. Credit: Rick Kopstein
The 16 people charged Wednesday with stealing nearly $200,000 worth of clothing from bins from across Suffolk County exploited an often unmonitored donation system that relies on public assistance to help clothe the needy, charity officials said.
The thefts, operated independently by two separate rings, largely targeted donation bins owned by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Long Island, a Catholic charity, officials said.
The defendants, prosecutors said, stole more than a half-million pounds of donated clothing intended for the poor and the homeless from bins during 70 incidents at eight churches from Lindenhurst to Mastic Beach between November 2024 and September.
The crews used juveniles to climb through the donation port and pass bags of clothes through the slot to an accomplice outside, authorities said. They would then load the stolen clothing into a van and sell it to wholesalers for cash, prosecutors contend. Investigators recovered 25,000 pounds of clothing and seized 14 vehicles that were used during the thefts, officials said.
Mark Cox, chief executive of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island, which operates nearly 100 clothing donation bins across Nassau and Suffolk, said with few exceptions, most of their boxes are not monitored by surveillance cameras.
While the group, which was not targeted in the theft ring, empties its bins regularly, Cox concedes it is difficult to completely protect the bins from bad actors.
"It’s definitely a common thing in the industry," Cox said Thursday of the thefts. "But, we’re very fortunate because we maintain our bins so often. ... But if somebody wants to get in [to the bins], I feel like they can get in."
Authorities said they launched their investigation after St. Vincent de Paul reported a significant reduction in the amount of clothing picked up from their Long Island bins.
Tom Abbate, chief executive and executive director of the nonprofit, said they have looked into using bins that people cannot sneak into.
"But it doesn't exist," Abbate said. "We've tried all different variations of bins and different sizes. We've talked to manufacturers."
In a statement Thursday, Abbate said: "Unfortunately, theft from charitable clothing bins has become a widespread issue affecting nonprofit organizations. When these thefts occur, it deprives our programs of vital resources used to provide clothing, food, housing assistance and other support to individuals and families in need throughout Long Island."
Tim Raines, marketing and development director at The Salvation Army, which has dozens of donation bins on Long Island, said its bins are serviced daily in most locations and, when possible, placed in well-lit, public areas.
"We do our best to secure our donation boxes with locks and other theft deterrents, as the donations we receive are meant to support our Adult Rehabilitation Centers, including the one on Front Street in Hempstead," Raines said. "Any items that are stolen from our donation boxes obviously take away from our mission."
Helen Murphy, a spokeswoman for Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, said the organization does not operate bins in either state and relies exclusively on in-person donations.
"We've found that the most effective way to accept donations and to keep the community clean is to accept donations at our stores or at donation centers," Murphy said.
Thefts are not the only way unscrupulous individuals use donation bins to take advantage of the generosity of Long Islanders.
Last December, Oyster Bay town officials warned residents about phony and shoddily-made donation bins designed to lure unsuspecting residents into dropping off toys, clothes and other items.
Similar bogus donation bins, often made of wood and lacking any permitting stickers, have also been popping up in the Town of Hempstead, residents tell Newsday, in commercial shopping centers in East Meadow and Levittown.
Long Islanders who are reluctant to use donation bins can schedule a pickup of clothing from their homes or businesses by Big Brothers Big Sisters, Cox said.
Newsday's Michael O'Keefe contributed to this story.
Tips for using donation boxes
Check that the organization hosting the donation box is a reputable charity and that the donations are going directly to the group's philanthropic mission.
Avoid donation bins that are made of wood or that simply state "clothing drop" with no permit from a municipal agency.
Don't leave donations in bags outside the bins.
If you're concerned about donating in bins, inquire if the charity will accept in-person donations or if they'll schedule a pickup at your home or business.
Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.
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