A pilot program aimed at tackling retail theft in Queens is expanding to the rest of the borough, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said.

The "Merchants Business Improvement Program," which initially ran in three precincts, is rolling out boroughwide to address the growing problem, Katz said during an interview on "Mornings On 1" Thursday.

Businesses of all sizes are invited to participate by partnering with neighborhood coordination officers, who can ensure a quick police response to instances of theft.

Under the program, police will issue trespass notices to offenders, warning of potential arrests upon return to the business, Katz said.

“This is meant really for those individuals that come in and harass and intimidate customers and those that, in the past, have shoplifted,” she said. “It gives them a warning and tells them that the next time they come in, they will be arrested.”

A total of 83 trespassing affidavits have already been filed under the program, and five arrests have been made, according to data from the DA’s office. Katz said that those individuals who are arrested are now receiving intervention efforts to ensure they do not return to shoplifting.

Katz highlighted the program’s positive impact on merchant control and shopper safety, saying, “This is meant to give merchants more control over their store. It's meant to give safety to families that are shopping, and it seems to be very successful and that's why we've expanded it now from three precincts to the entire borough.”