Using AI Solutions to Mitigate ORC
NVIDIA and Loss Prevention Research Council Introduce AI Solution to Address Organized Retail Crime

AI-enabled solution provides advance and real-time notifications to reduce large-scale store theft.

NVIDIA and the Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC) are collaborating with several AI companies to showcase a real-time solution for combating and preventing organized retail crime (ORC). The integrated offering provides advance notifications of suspicious behavior inside and outside stores so that authorities can intervene early.

The LPRC includes asset-protection executives from more than 85 major retail chains, with hundreds of thousands of stores worldwide, as well as law enforcement, consumer packaged goods companies and technology solutions partners. It's focused on collaborating with the retail industry to reduce shrink - the loss of products for reasons other than sales - and increase safety and security at stores and shopping malls.

The AI-based solution, which helps retailers get a jump on often-evasive, fast-moving organized crime groups, uses technology from several leading AI firms that have built their high-performance AI applications on the NVIDIA Metropolis application framework and microservices.

The solution includes product recognition and tracking, as well as anomaly detection, from AiFi, vehicle license plate and model recognition from BriefCam, and physical security management from SureView to provide advance and real-time notifications to retailer command centers.

For more information about AI solutions for mitigating organized retail crime, connect with the NVIDIA team at NRF: Retail's Big Show, the world's largest retail expo, taking place Jan. 14-16 at the Javits Convention Center in New York.

Attend the Big Ideas session on Organized Retail Crime on Jan. 14 at 2 p.m. ET, moderated by the LPRC, to discover how Kroger and Jacksons Food are using AI in their stores to tackle crime.

The ORC solution will be showcased at NRF - visit NVIDIA experts in Lenovo's booth (3665) and Dell's booth (4957) to learn more about it from NVIDIA's software partners. blogs.nvidia.com


New York Governor Backtracks on Retail Crime & ORC Task Force

Shoplifting Crackdown Coming to New York in 2024
Gov. Hochul vows crackdown on shoplifting scourge as NY businesses plead for help
Gov. Kathy Hochul will pledge to crack down on retail theft as part of her 2024 policy agenda, The Post has learned - as fed-up New York business owners continue to plead for help with the shoplifting scourge.

Merchants are turning up the heat on Hochul and the Democratic-led state Legislature, calling for stiffer penalties against serial offenders wreaking havoc in their stores.

Lawmakers whiffed last year, refusing to pass, among others, a bill that would have increased the severity of charges for certain repeat shoplifters, making it possible for them to be ordered held on bail. The Legislature instead passed just one bill, which created a task force to study the shoplifting issue - and was vetoed by Hochul.

But Hochul's office Sunday said the governor had heard the message, and would be unveiling a plan to stem shoplifting during her State of the State address on Tuesday.

"The rise in retail theft [is] something that we're focused on. We have some announcements for our State of the State coming out on this initiative," Hochul promised.

Grand larceny fell 2.5% last year - but still is substantially higher than the pre-pandemic 2019. And car thefts are up a staggering 191% since 2019, and up 15% last year over 2022.

In addition to the one proposed by Dinowitz, another priority bill for the 2024 legislative session aims at making it more difficult to sell stolen goods from brick and mortar stores online. The measure - introduced by Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan) and state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal -would create a new offense of fostering the sale of stolen goods, as a class A misdemeanor.

Another measure would raise the penalty of assaulting a retail worker from a misdemeanor to a bail-eligible Class D felony (as second-degree assault) - such as is the case with taxi drivers, utility workers, first responders and other essential government workers.

The CAP - the coalition that includes most of the city's supermarket chains, chambers of commerce and the Association of Convenience stores - said local stores lost more than $300 million last year from theft in 2022. nypost.com


New York Governor Also Makes U-Turn on ORC Task Force
She vetoed it in November but is now asking state police to establish a retail theft task force

Hochul seeks retail theft task force headed by State Police

The initiative is expected to be highlighted in governor's State of the State address - two months after she vetoed a task force to study the problem

Gov. Kathy Hochul, who vetoed a bill in November that would have created a task force to study the surge in organized retail theft, has asked the State Police to establish a law enforcement task force that would target the incipient crime wave.

A State Police source briefed on the matter said the task force would be similar to ones that have sought to crack down on illegal gun trafficking and also gang activity. But that source said staffing for the task forces has been a concern. Still, Hochul is expected to outline her plan for the retail theft task force in Tuesday's State of the State address.

The legislation that Hochul vetoed would have created a task force simply to study organized retail theft, similar to task forces created in several other states trying to combat the problem. The panel would have had 15 members appointed by the governor, leaders of the state Senate and Assembly, and the attorney general; it would have gathered information on organized retail crime and developed recommendations to counter losses in New York and respond to the problem.

"Because of the fiscal impact of this legislation, the proposals would be more appropriately considered in the context of the state budget process," she said at the time she issued the vetoes.

The spike in thefts reported by the retail industry have resulted in more security personnel, including at pharmacy chains, and more items being locked up on shelves. timesunion.com


Repeat Shoplifters Would Face Jail Time Under New California Bill
(Update) New 'third strike' bill would see shoplifters jailed for up to three years in crackdown on soaring retail theft
Lawmakers have introduced a new bill that could see shoplifters put behind bars for at least three years amid rampant retail theft across the United States. In California, officials are making significant attempts to crack down on organized retail crime.

San Bernardino Assembly Member James C. Ramos (D) proposed a solution through a bill on January 3 that could see more severe punishments for thieves at stores in the Golden State, per a news release. The proposed bill, AB 1772, would incorporate a heavy "third strike" policy for repeat offenders.

Shoppers caught stealing after being convicted of "two or more specified theft-related offenses" would have their charge processed as criminal rather than a misdemeanor under AB 1772. That means punishment would increase to potential prison time, with possible sentences of six months to three years maximum for those convicted.

Ramos continued to cite data collected by the Public Policy Institute of California, which saw shoplifting rates increase by 29% in 2022. California voters previously voted that non-violent theft would be categorized as a misdemeanor rather than a felony.

Ballot measure Proposition 47 was approved by California voters in 2014, solidifying this, with fine increases for the theft misdemeanors rising to $950 instead of $450. Those caught with prior convictions would also not be forced to pay more than the $950 maximum. With Ramos' proposition of a felony charge and jail time, it would be a much heavier third strike for offenders.

Even so, AB 1772 must first be approved by the legislature before heading to Governor Gavin Newsom for approval and then to California voters. Voters would need to have a majority consensus to pass the bill into law during the next election. the-sun.com


External & Employee Theft Make Up 55% of Shrink for Small & Medium Retailers
Shrink is a big problem for small retailers

A new survey reveals many small- and mid-sized retailers face more of a challenge from shrink than their larger peers.

According to the Software Advice 2023 Retail Shrink Survey of 416 small- and medium-sized retailers, 68% of respondents have shrink rates that are currently above the industry standard rate of 1.5%. Shrink as a percentage of sales has increased for more than one-third of respondents.

In addition, close to half (46%) of respondents say external theft has increased in their stores, with the average respondent citing rising external theft operating a portfolio of 20 or more stores.

Given these results, it is unsurprising that almost nine in 10 (88%) respondents say preventing retail shrink is a top priority. According to Software Advice analysis, the following factors make up almost all retail shrink incidents affecting respondents:

• External theft 41% (shoplifting, robbery, fraudulent returns).
• Damaged inventory 19% (improper accounting of damaged items)
• Vendor fraud 14% (Overbilling, missing items in deliveries, price gouging).
• Employee theft 14%.
• Internal errors 11% (Inventory errors and cashier miscounts).

In addition to rising rates of overall shrink, vendor fraud (24%) is also increasing for some respondents. Other shrink factors that are growing for some respondents include employee theft (17%) and internal errors (16%). chainstoreage.com


Fordham business district says retail theft is a big concern despite drop in shoplifting
The NYPD says its crackdown on shoplifting is working, but one of the Bronx's busiest business districts says they're still very concerned about the current state of retail theft.

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New York, NY: 15 asylum-seekers attempt to steal $5,300 Worth of Sunglasses at NYC Bloomingdale's
A group of migrants went into Bloomingdale's in Manhattan and attempted to steal a collection of high-end Versace, Dior, and Prada designer sunglasses worth $5,300. About 15 asylum-seekers entered the store around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, grabbed over a dozen expensive sunglasses, and tried to escape. An alert police officer, working at the store, managed to catch one of the thieves, identified as Steven Matos, 23, who was charged with robbery and other offenses. The police recovered 10 pairs of Versace glasses, two pairs of Prada, and one pair of Christian Dior. It's unclear if the rest of the group got away with more items.  west-palm-beach-news.com


Jersey City, NJ: Two stuffed $5K in clothing into suitcase and tried to flee Newport Centre mall store
One man was taken into custody and another escaped capture after the two grabbed a suitcase at Macy's inside Newport Centre mall, stuffed it with more than $5,000 in clothing and then tried to leave the store without paying, authorities said. Johnathan Breguero, 27, of New York, was charged with robbery in the incident that occurred Sunday at approximately 5:05 p.m., city spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said. Police said in radio transmissions that Breguero punched, kicked and spit on the store's loss-prevention officers when he was detained while trying to flee. The items in the suitcase were recovered, Wallace-Scalcione said. A store representative told police the merchandise was valued at $5,110, according to the radio transmissions. The investigation is ongoing, Wallace-Scalcione said.  nj.com


McClean, VA: Traffic allows police to catch up to thieves accused of stealing designer handbags
Police say detectives arrested members of an organized retail theft crew as they were running out of a store with handbags in Tysons Corner. According to the Fairfax County Police Department, just after 5 p.m. on Friday, the accused thieves grabbed more than $4,500 worth of designer handbags from a store and ran away. The group reportedly jumped into a waiting Chevrolet Suburban and tried to drive away. Detectives were alerted by loss prevention and began searching along the southbound stretch of Interstate 495 in Annandale. Heavy traffic allowed officers to catch up to the crew using the Express Lanes. The Tysons Urban Team worked with Virginia State Police to apprehend the four suspects on the interstate. The stolen items were returned to the Bloomingdale's store and the four suspects were taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.  wusa9.com


U-Haul truck used as battering ram during smash-and-grab attempt at Bicycle shop; $40K in damages
Surveillance cameras on a downtown L.A. business captured an attempted burglary as thieves in a U-Haul box truck plowed through the steel gate into the parking lot before trying to ram their way into the brick building. More than a dozen other masked suspects stood by hoping the driver of the truck could ram through the bicycle shop's brick building. The incident, which happened at Just Ride Los Angeles, occurred over the weekend. The owner, identified only as Danny, said he's never had anything this extreme happen to his shop. "Through our gate and into our storage to get through and get bicycles," he told KTLA's Jennifer McGraw.  ktla.com


Albuquerque, NM: Alleged Albuquerque shoplifter drops stolen item from jacket while talking to police
In a social media post uploaded by the Albuquerque Police Department (APD), an officer finds a suspected shoplifter just moments after he's accused of stealing from a local Target retail store. This comes on the heels of APD completing their retail crime operation. In the post, APD Officer Raymond Casias responds to the alleged shoplifting incident at the Target on Montgomery Blvd and Wyoming Blvd. As shown in the video, Casias locates the suspect, identified as David Quintana, outside the shopping area and approaches him. Casias advised Quintana that he was being detained. As the officer moves toward Quintana, you can hear the suspect saying, "I just went to court." As he speaks, Quintana begins to scratch his head, but a piece of merchandise falls from his jacket. In a criminal complaint, a Target employee observed Quintana take a flashlight from the home goods section. The complaint continues, stating that Quintana proceeded to walk toward electronics where he grabbed several video games. In the "Sticky Fingers Operation," which lasted three months, APD said they have made a total of 332 arrests related to retail crime, recovered about $60,000 worth of stolen merchandise, and cleared 110 warrants.  krqe.com


Guelph, ON, Canada: More than $3,000 worth of cosmetics taken in apparent distraction theft in Guelph
Three women allegedly pulled off a distraction theft at a Guelph business involving more than $3,000 worth of makeup. Guelph police said the incident occurred Friday (Jan. 5) at a business near Stone Road West and Scottsdale Drive, when, just after 2 p.m., two women entered the business, followed a short time later by a third woman. The older woman was speaking to employees in the cosmetics area and appeared to be distracting them, police said, while the younger women allegedly removed Dior cosmetics and concealed them in their coats. All three women left the store and were seen walking away together. It is believed they arrived in a white four-door sedan.  guelphmercury.com


Cobb County, GA: Suspected thief ditches son at mall
Cobb County police are searching for a father wanted for shoplifting. Investigators say in addition to stealing from a store, when officers caught on to what he was doing, he ran, leaving his child behind. Police say James Calvin Smith stole $852 worth of clothes and perfume from Macy's in Cumberland Mall. Investigators say he stuffed the merchandise into a bag he stole, then tucked it all under his coat and tried to walk out. Police say a loss prevention officer approached him, but he pushed her out of the way. That's when the director of security stepped in and things grew even more violent. Police later learned, while Smith was inside the mall, his 11-year-old son was in the car in the parking lot. Investigators say when faced with running away to avoid arrest or going back to check on his son, Smith chose to run.  fox5atlanta.com


Ferrisburg, VT: State police seek help identifying suspect in Ace Hardware store theft