3 Pillars of Fighting ORC: Tech, Partnerships & Legal Frameworks
The new approach retailers are taking to curb organized retail crime

By Tony D'Onofrio, president, Sensormatic Solutions

Not only are criminals getting more sophisticated and less concerned about the repercussions of retail theft, but the very deterrents designed to stop them can prevent well-intentioned shoppers from making purchases. No matter how retailers look at it, they need new strategies to counter ORC's effects.

While rising crime is the challenge that retailers must overcome, when designing LP strategies, the focus is on the drivers of shrinkage at work in their stores - whether they're related to security gaps, lack of insight or lack of consequences. That means retailers need a multi-pronged approach that addresses the three key pillars of successful LP: next-gen tech, partnerships and legal frameworks.

Adopting next-gen tech and data helps retailers identify patterns and insights

Advanced algorithms can turn radio-frequency identification (RFID) data, AI-enabled camera feeds, smart exits and other systems into solutions that address the problem from the source. These systems use information about how merchandise moves and areas that might benefit from more stringent security measures to produce predictive and prescriptive insights unique to each retailer, region and store location. This guides more precise, effective decision-making led by desired outcomes and operational understanding.

How retailers work with law enforcement to understand the scope of ORC

Partnerships with law enforcement and legislators can help retailers cement the final building block: legal frameworks. Nearly all retailers included in the National Retail Federation's 2023 Retail Security survey (93%) support federal ORC legislation to increase penalties, address interstate crimes and standardize penalties. Working alongside law enforcement may help the industry get closer to legislation of this nature by helping governing bodies get a better sense of the breadth of the problem.

Developing legal frameworks and processes for working alongside law enforcement may also help deter criminals, as the perceived lack of consequences for shoplifters and organized groups has no doubt encouraged criminals. Using evidence packages gathered by AI-enabled systems can help law enforcement track down perpetrators and recover lost goods, while RFID tagging can help officers return items to their origins.  modernretail.co


31% of Gen Zers Have Shoplifted from Self-Checkout Lanes
Retailers are scrambling to rollback or tweak their self-checkout technology

Gen Z loves self-checkout because it makes shoplifting easy-and retailers are flailing as they scramble

Young shoppers are more likely to take advantage of the five-finger discount

Gen Z's habit of swiping extends past their phones. The young generation of shoppers also admit to swiping from retail stores, a habit that's only become easier with the advent of self-checkout kiosks.

More than half of Gen Z and millennial respondents said that a self-checkout option would be a reason for them to switch retailers, compared 41% of Gen X and 30% of Baby Boomer shoppers. While Gen Z customers said that self checkout is faster, and they enjoy not having to wait in line or interact with others, there's another reason why they may love self-service shopping: It's easy to steal.

Almost one-third (31%) of Gen Z shoppers have admitted to shoplifting from self-checkout aisles compared to 15% of shoppers overall, according to a November LendingTree survey of 2,000 U.S. consumers. Almost half of Gen Z participants (46%) said they plan to lift the most expensive item in their cart, while 37% said they will loot the basics, such as food and water.

Self-checkout sleights of hand are having a real impact on retailers, with Walmart, Costco, and Wegmans are cutting down on kiosks, citing intentional shoplifting as reason for doing so. Satisfying a growing customer base while trying to protect from theft has left retailers unsure how to approach the future of automated checkout.

"While self-checkout is convenient, it certainly poses a risk for shoplifting," LendingTree Chief Credit Analyst Matt Schulz said in a statement. "Ultimately, retailers need to decide whether the self-checkout terminals are worth the risk."  fortune.com


Calif. Theft Crackdown Data: 1,301 Arrests - $10M in Stolen Goods Returned
Statewide crackdown on retail theft yielding results, CHP numbers suggest

According to CHP data for last year, 320,000 pieces of merchandise were recovered in nearly 550 investigations, 1,301 arrests were made, and more than $10 million in stolen goods were returned

New numbers from the California Highway Patrol suggest a statewide crackdown on retail theft is getting results. Organized retail theft has been on the rise across the country for several years now. California built a task force specifically to fight it.

According to CHP data for last year, 320,000 pieces of merchandise were recovered in nearly 550 investigations, 1,301 arrests were made, and more than $10 million in stolen goods were returned.

"It's absolutely progress," CHP Officer Andrew Barclay said. "When we look at the purpose behind the organized regional crime task force, not only find the individuals committing the crimes, but also anybody involved in these and that includes the people far up the chain."

The task force is coordinated by the CHP but includes various departments around the state with a focus on busting organized crews targeting everything from big box retailers to small businesses.

One idea being discussed is changing Prop 47, whether it's in the legislature or on the ballot. A change would allow for longer prison sentences for non-violent crimes. Another idea is stacking multiple misdemeanor shoplifting charges into a single felony. nbcbayarea.com


New 4-State ORC Alliance Already Paying Off
Attorney General Griffin kicks off organized retail crime alliance efforts in Arkansas
Following a meeting today to formally kick off Arkansas's efforts as part of the Organized Retail Crime Alliance (ORCA), Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement:

"Last summer I was contacted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) about joining a regional effort to combat organized retail crime. Since then we have begun working within Arkansas and across state lines to address this significant criminal element, and today marked our first official meeting of the Arkansas contingent of ORCA.

"Even though this was our first official gathering, the fruits of our labor and collaboration are already evident. Less than two weeks ago the Blytheville Police Department arrested nine individuals and issued warrants on many more who were engaging in organized retail crime activity. Those arrests would not have been possible without the cooperation and sharing of information by multiple law enforcement agencies and private sector partners.

Eric DeLaune, acting special agent in charge of HSI New Orleans who also oversees the HSI Arkansas Office, added this statement:

"HSI Arkansas is proud to partner with the Arkansas Attorney General's Office, the private sector and our other law enforcement partners across the states of Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama to combat this trend of brazen organized retail theft. By pooling our resources and coming together with a common mission, we will be better postured to dismantle the criminal networks and sophisticated money laundering schemes that organized retail criminal organizations rely upon to evade detection and take advantage of retailers and consumers." arkansasag.gov


Shoplifting Crackdown Across the Pond
UK: Thames Valley Police retail crime strategy promises shoplifting crackdown

Shoplifting and other retail crime has not always been tackled effectively, police chiefs have admitted.

Thames Valley Police has launched a new Retail Crime Strategy, developed jointly with retailers and businesses. Police and crime commissioner Matthew Barber said offences targeting shops were not "victimless crimes". The Association of Convenience Stores welcomed efforts to target "prolific, repeat offenders who blight communities".

Launching the strategy, Mr Barber said retail crime had a "profound impact" on shop staff, customers and the wider economy. He told the BBC: "If everything was working well, we wouldn't need the strategy.
"We need to make sure that we can set clear expectations for retailers, for the public, so they get the service from the police that they deserve."

The strategy includes greater use of facial recognition technology to identify prolific shoplifters.
An app is being rolled out to share information between businesses and the police, including a "rogues gallery" of those caught on CCTV.

It also promises a greater visible presence of police officers and PCSOs in retail spaces. Thames Valley Strategic Retail Crime Forum has also been created to strengthen communication between the police and businesses in tackling retail crime. bbc.com


"Most Dangerous Square Mile in America" 
In-N-Out closure fuels claims about Oakland's "most dangerous square mile."
Is there real evidence?

Crime in the city's "deep East" has sparked political backlash

Bars and restaurants come and go, but the impending loss of the city's only In-N-Out Burger is driving talk of the city's crime problem to the next level. The SoCal-based fast-food chain announced last weekend that the last day of business for its Oakland restaurant will be March 24.

It's a blow to the city's struggling business scene, especially given that the location was still profitable, according to In-N-Out Chief Operating Officer Denny Warnick, who said in a statement that the restaurant was "regularly victimized by car break-ins, property damage, theft and armed robberies."

The impacts of crime in the area near the airport - part of what's commonly referred to as "deep east" Oakland - have drawn notice across the globe, with conservative British tabloid Daily Mail labeling the neighborhood this week as the "most dangerous square mile in America."

It is yet more fuel for the growing political movement targeting Alameda County's progressive leaders, with recall efforts underway against District Attorney Pamela Price and more recently against Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao.

"How much more do we plan to (lose), the crime is out of control!!!" an X account for the Price recall movement said about the closure.  mercurynews.com

   RELATED: In-N-Out Burger closes Oakland store over crime concerns

 
Fighting the "Culture of No Consequences" for Retail Theft
Retail theft is a "top priority" for Sacramento lawmakers
Santa Monica's local representative in Sacramento came to town recently to try to reassure local businesses that his new role overseeing efforts to fight retail theft would target a lack of consequences for criminals while cracking down on organized theft rings.

On Jan. 19, local business leaders were informed on state efforts during a meeting of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce's Hospitality and Retail Committee, discussing a bevy of retail crime issues with California State Assemblymember Rick Zbur. Zbur represents the 51st District, including Santa Monica and much of West Los Angeles, and was recently chosen as the new chair of the state's Select Committee on Retail Theft. In his talk to Chamber committee members, Zbur noted that the state assembly has made retail theft "one of the priorities to tackle this year," and his new role brings him "a lot of opportunity to really try to help our communities."

Zbur said that the newly-formed Select Committee has a goal to "provide a forum" for impacted stakeholders, like Santa Monica business owners, to help "identify policy solutions to this ongoing crisis." When asked about Proposition 47 and the $950 threshold that divides misdemeanor and felony theft, he stated that he's "more focused on understanding what's needed to stop" retail theft in the first place, more so than the dollar amount threshold.

The assemblymember also said his attention lies within addressing the "culture of no consequences" when it comes to even minor amounts of retail theft, sympathizing with businesses that do not have effective intervention tactics for shoplifting.

Another priority for the Select Committee is figuring out how to "prevent and target" professional organized retail rings, with Zbur stating that he sees how a "small number of thieves are responsible for a large number of retail crimes" in many areas.  smdp.com


Gang of Teen Thieves Force CVS Out of Business in D.C.
'Teen thieves are aware of when new shipments come in and when to best target the store.'

CVS to close after DC thieves ransack location for months, leaving shelves bare
A Washington D.C. CVS store will close its doors after a group of sticky-fingered teens routinely ransacked the store, leaving the shelves bare. According to Fox affiliate, WTTG-TV, the pharmacy storefront in Washington D.C's Columbia Heights neighborhood is closing on Feb. 29.

The closing comes months after videos surfaced in Oct. 2023 of row after row of empty shelves at the CVS store after a group of shoplifting teens ransacked the store. The rampant theft has gotten so bad at the CVS location that customers have begun shopping at other locations for necessities.

According to staff who work there, 45 or more kids regularly go into the store to steal chips and drinks before school, after school, and late at night. CVS employees allege that the teen thieves are aware of when new shipments come in and when to best target the store. foxbusiness.com


Kansas City, MO: Crown Center's silence after shooting 'appalling' to tenants
After six people were wounded in a shooting at Crown Center last Wednesday, tenants of the popular shopping center are criticizing management of the facility for failing to publicly address the incident and provide updates to businesses about security.

Memphis police chief under fire as crime rates reach records

Raleigh, NC: Crime stats, illegal guns seized are up in downtown

Organizations on High Alert for Physical Security Threats
Antisemitism Soars, Creating 'Unprecedented' Threat
More than 3,200 incidents of antisemitism occurred in the U.S. between Oct. 7, 2023, and Jan. 7, 2024, according to preliminary data recently released by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)-an increase of 360 percent from the same period last year.

"The American Jewish community is facing a threat level that's now unprecedented in modern history," Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO, said in a statement. "It's shocking that we've recorded more antisemitic acts in three months than we usually would in an entire year."

Since Oct. 7, an average of nearly 34 antisemitic incidents occurred per day, putting 2023 on track to be the year with the highest number of acts against the Jewish community since the ADL began tracking the statistic in the 1970s. According to the ADL, incidents of antisemitism have grown each year since 2020, including incidents at schools and bomb threats toward Jewish institutions.

Jewish Organizations Boost Security Measures

Given the rise of antisemitism even before Oct. 7, many Jewish nonprofit organizations have ramped up their security measures to protect their employees, according to a survey of 18,212 employees by Leading Edge, an organization that helps Jewish nonprofits improve their workplace culture.

"Not only should we keep our teams safe, but we should also keep them informed and empowered so that they personally know what to do in the worst-case scenario of an attack," said Gali Cooks, president and CEO of Leading Edge. "This will give employees more agency and peace of mind, and our data suggests that it also increases employees' trust in the organization's leadership."

Among 15,673 employees at Jewish nonprofits who work outside their home at least part of the week:

• 85 percent said their organization has a plan for how to respond to physical security threats.
• 75 percent said they feel their employer is prepared to act if faced with a physical security threat.
• 14 percent of in-person employees indicated that they do not feel prepared to act in the event of an attack.

Feeling prepared for security threats makes employees more engaged, enabled and confident in their leaders, according to the report.  shrm.org


Happy Employees Can Boost Workplace Safety
Why Happiness Matters at Work

How EHS professionals can use the power of happiness to transform workplace safety.

Research indicates that if you are able to accomplish a higher state of well-being by creating an environment of happiness, then you will get better and more consistent positive results. Research also found that a 10% increase in well-being can simultaneously decrease absenteeism by 25%. Creativity will be much higher, teams will be more collaborative and people will remain in their positions longer. In other words, if workers are happy, you'll have less turnover and be better positioned to reach your desired end results, such as zero incidents or no environmental spills.

If workers aren't getting hurt, then more workers are able to show up and do their job. That means fewer days off work due to injury. That means less scrambling to maintain safe staffing levels and better team morale. That means the money that was being spent on workers' compensation claims can instead go toward new personal protective equipment, new technology or new safety programs to address other areas of concern.

That means safety can improve in different ways because budget and dollars go farther. That makes a safety professional's job easier when they talk budgets with or need to get buy-in from management. Plus, a company that is a great place to work can more easily withstand some of the current challenges, such as labor shortages.

Shifting the focus to happiness will make EHS people more creative by putting them in a better position to look for waste or overburden, which can lead to injuries or workers getting burned out or leaving. Thus, happiness and well-being are not just good for individual employees; rather, creating a happy and positive work environment is paramount to building successful organizations. ehstoday.com


'Retail Reset' Coming?
Macy's And Wayfair Cut Staff While Walmart Closes Stores, Signaling A Retail Reset
Following a year when retail grew 3.5% overall and November-December 2023 holiday sales were even more robust, advancing 3.8%, retailers are going into 2024 with wind in their sales.

Yet, Macy's, Wayfair and Walmart are among the retailers announcing layoffs and store closings as these forward-looking retailers ready for a reset in 2024.

While the economy dodged a recession bullet in 2023, it is not out of the woods yet. The Conference Board said that despite the prospects for a 'soft landing' are on the rise, "It is more probable that the U.S. economy will slip into a short and shallow recession in 2024."

It warned of consumer spending headwinds coming from interest rates, rising debt and falling savings. It also noted a cooling labor market and that inflation continues at a rate well above the ideal at or below 2%.

"The labor market looks set to cool further this year, which will impact consumer expectations for employment and wage growth, and, in turn, affect spending decisions. Spending is elevated relative to current income, and maintaining the recent pace of growth will be increasingly difficult," he concluded. forbes.com


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Senior LP & AP Jobs Market

Divisional Director, AP - North Texas job posted for Macy's in Plano, TX
The Divisional Director, Asset Protection serves as the Division Lead in Asset Protection execution, providing hands-on direction and assistance to all stores and divisions within the assigned area in all asset protection-related areas. Leading Senior Investigators & Training in assigned markets, they drive the Asset Protection and shortage program in assigned stores to achieve their shortage goals and maximize profitability, inclusive of internal investigations. ebwh.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com


Senior Manager, ORC Investigator job posted for Macy's in Boston, MA
Develop your skills with opportunities to specialize in areas such as Investigations, Organized Retail Crime, and Asset Protection Training. Join a team of colleagues who are committed to excellence and leadership development. Proactively identify organized retail crime (ORC) activity and trends. Develop strategies to reduce organized retail criminal activity against Macy's. Perform other duties as assigned. ebwh.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com


Director, Cyber Security Architecture job posted for Western Union in Denver, CO
In this pivotal role, you will report to the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and be responsible for enabling the implementation of the cybersecurity organization's strategy and architecture. This role also provides strategic technical leadership across the organization to ensure cybersecurity controls, measures, and investments are closely aligned with our business strategy. careers.westernunion.com


Fleet Safety Training & Communications Senior Manager, Asset Protection job posted for Walmart in Bentonville, AR
In this critical role, you will be responsible for developing and implementing effective communication strategies to ensure consistent and timely distribution of fleet safety information to all field employees. You will also be responsible for creating and delivering training programs, developing, and maintaining policies, procedures, and guidelines, and providing continued oversight of governance documents. walmart.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com


Cool Job!
Director, Security job posted for the Arizona Cardinals in Tempe, AZ
Collaborating closely with the VP, Security, this position will be responsible in elevating the Security Department by setting and managing an expectation of world-class safety and security. The Director of Security ("DOS") should have a law enforcement background with experience in management of both operational and support functions. recruiting2.ultipro.com