The Unintended Consequences of 'Security-First Approach' to Theft
The Rise of Retail Theft and Its Impact on the Shopping Experience
Retailers across the United States are grappling with an escalating challenge: a surge in theft that is fundamentally reshaping how products are displayed and sold. Supermarkets and pharmacies, in particular, are locking up more items behind glass or security cases to prevent shoplifting, a move that is meant to curb losses but often has unintended consequences.

For shoppers, this security-first approach disrupts the familiar experience of browsing freely and making quick, easy purchases. Instead, customers now have to locate store associates, request access to locked products, and wait for assistance-ultimately leading to longer shopping times and increased frustration. This friction in the shopping journey has already begun impacting sales, customer satisfaction, and brand loyalty.

Shoppers are voicing their frustration on social media after a Walmart store was spotted keeping undergarments locked behind a wall. As anti-theft measures continue to reshape the American shopping experience, many consumers argue that the real issue isn't just the locked products but the long wait times for assistance. "Good luck finding someone to open it," one user commented in response to the viral post, echoing a common complaint about accessibility in retail stores.

Retailers, too, are struggling with the effects of these security measures. When products are placed behind barriers, they are less accessible, impulse purchases decline, staff members are pulled away from other essential duties to assist customers, and customers may simply abandon purchases altogether in favor of online alternatives. Finding a solution that balances theft prevention with a smooth shopping experience has become a critical priority.  techbullion.com


PD's Real-Time Crime Center Helping Fight ORC
Murfreesboro, Tenn. PD expands use of technology to fight crime in real time
As more people move into the area, the Murfreesboro Police Department (MPD) is using cutting-edge technology to cut down on crimes in real-time. It's brought the term "eye in the sky" to new heights.

"This is our real-time crime center," MPD crime analysis supervisor Ryan Lawrence, said. "This is where we use our license plate readers, our public safety cameras as well as our gunshot detection system." The Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) is a department of four people who watch an entire city and wait to help police stop crime as soon as it happens.

As of publication, the system has produced what police called more than 400 success stories that have led to arrests or warrants issued. Originally, the department deployed 85 gunshot detectors across different areas. As of publication, 234 sensors are now up and running.

One of the latest major crimes stopped with the help of the RTCC had to do with suspected members of a South Florida crime syndicate accused of stealing more than $1 million in high-end sunglasses. They targeted stores from Florida to South Carolina to Tennessee.

The MPD added that license plate recognition technology has helped to recover 55 stolen vehicles and helped clear 200 cases, including hit-and-run crashes and homicide investigations. wkrn.com


Another State Pushes Forward with Retail Theft Legislation
NFIB Applauds SC House for Passing Retail Theft Protection Bill
NFIB State Director Ben Homeyer today applauded the South Carolina House for passing H. 3523, critical legislation aimed at combating organized retail crime and protecting small businesses from financial harm.

"Small businesses are the backbone of South Carolina's economy, and they suffer immensely from organized retail theft," Homeyer said. "This legislation gives law enforcement and prosecutors the tools they need to crack down on theft rings that exploit retailers and drive up costs for everyone."

H. 3523 strengthens existing laws by making it illegal to conspire to steal retail property valued at more than $2,000 over 90 days with the intent to resell or profit from stolen goods.

It increases penalties for those who engage in retail theft, including tougher fines and imprisonment for repeat offenders and those who cause property damage or injury during the commission of such crimes. The measure also introduces asset forfeiture provisions to ensure that criminals do not profit from stolen goods, reinforcing the state's commitment to safeguarding local businesses.

"This legislation helps level the playing field for small businesses by targeting large-scale retail theft rings," Homeyer said. "Our members encourage their senators to pass H. 3523 and send this important bill to Governor McMaster for his signature."   nfib.com


Shining a Light on 'Overlooked' Parts of a Store
Tech tool "shrinks" opportunities for retail theft

Expanded tracking solution shines a light into parts of a store where goods tend to go missing.

"Shrink" is the retail industry term for the loss of inventory before it can be sold, whether through theft, damage, fraud, or simple book-keeping errors. In the ongoing effort to reduce those losses, Switzerland-based retail tech company Sensormatic Solutions has expanded the scope of its Shrink Analyzer application to shine a light into previously unmonitored parts of brick-and-mortar stores where goods tend to go missing.

The newly enhanced, cloud-based application can now integrate radio-frequency identification (RFID) and electronic product code (EPC) data from overlooked parts of the building, like employee entrances, receiving doors, "buy online, pick up in store" (BOPIS) doors, or other high-risk areas selected by a store. It then integrates that data into Sensormatic's analytics engine to provide insights into when, where, and how shrink occurs to help users strengthen their loss-prevention strategies, the company says.

Those expanded capabilities allow the platform to provide enhanced "shrink insight" at locations beyond the store's main exit, Sensormatic says. For example, strategically placed RFID scanners at employee exits can reduce internal theft while providing item-level evidence for theft investigation efforts. Likewise, monitoring online-order pickup doors can help retailers both improve in-store e-commerce fulfillment accuracy and identify employee theft events, according to Sensormatic. dcvelocity.com


Nonpolice response teams may cut crime, save cash, but data limited

Virginia Beach PD Releases 2024 Crime Data
 

RH-ISAC Announces Agenda for the 2025 Cyber Intelligence Summit

The annual Cyber Intelligence Summit brings together cybersecurity experts from diverse backgrounds to address rapidly evolving threats.

VIENNA, VA - The Retail & Hospitality Information Sharing and Analysis Center (RH-ISAC) has released the full agenda for its upcoming annual Cyber Intelligence Summit, the premier event for cybersecurity professionals working in retail, hospitality, and other consumer-facing industries. Scheduled to take place on 7-9 April in St. Louis, Missouri, the conference brings together top cybersecurity leaders and teams to participate in interactive discussions and keynote presentations on safeguarding consumer data.

The 2025 Summit will offer three distinct tracks: Tactical, Operational, and Strategic, allowing attendees to tailor their experience to their role and expertise. Each track is designed to dive deep into the latest trends, best practices, and innovations in the cybersecurity field, offering practical insights to participants across all levels of cybersecurity management.

Presentations will cover a variety of topics, including threat intelligence sharing, ransomware prevention, supply chain security, cyber threat intelligence, advanced threat detection, and more, with the goal of equipping professionals with the knowledge and tools they need to protect their organizations. The presentation topics were guided by key RH-ISAC members who helped to develop the agenda.

"The RH-ISAC Cyber Intelligence Summit agenda will once again focus on the pressing issues facing consumer-facing sectors," said Suzie Squier, president of RH-ISAC. "With the leading brands in retail, hospitality, gaming, travel, and consumer goods attending, the networking will be as unparalleled as the content."  rhisac.org
 

Halfmoon, NY: Halfmoon man arrested for $70,000 stolen goods conspiracy
State Police arrested 40-year-old Charles Giddings, of Halfmoon, New York, on February 12, 2025, for criminal possession of stolen property and conspiracy. Authorities executed a search warrant at Giddings's home, uncovering more than $70,000 in reportedly stolen merchandise. The investigation, which led to the warrant, focused on multiple organized retail thefts across New York and Vermont. Police said, Giddings used Facebook Marketplace to sell the stolen items and conspired with individuals he knew had stolen them.  cbs6albany.com


Collier County, FL: Sheriff touts Naples arrest in retail theft crackdown
The Sheriff of Collier County is touting a recent arrest as an example of his agency's work to stop theft from driving up costs for you, when you go shopping. Detectives say they arrested Kimberly McDonnell of Naples Wednesday. They say she stole thousands of dollars in merchandise from Target by not scanning all of her items at the self-checkout. They say the 36 year old made 18 trips to the Target on Tarpon Bay Boulevard and stole 151 items totaling $3,472.02 from Nov. 30, 2024 to Feb. 2, 2025. Detectives say the stolen items ranged from a $2.19 bottle of Dr. Pepper to a $54.42 throw pillow and from a $5.60 box of mechanical pencils to a $795 mattress. The Collier County Sheriff's Office said it built a longstanding partnership with area retailers to identify and arrest individuals who commit retail theft. And because of this partnership, detectives say they worked Target loss prevention employees who reported observing McDonnell using the self-checkout and not scanning all of her items and then leaving the store without paying for the un-scanned merchandise.  fox4now.com


Yavapai County, AZ: 3 arrested for stealing trailers, Walmart merchandise in Prescott area
Three people are facing charges after allegedly stealing merchandise from a Walmart and two trailers in the Prescott area. Suspects 25-year-old Chase Cooper, 35-year-old Brittney Hill and 49-year-old Jesse Pistole were all charged with theft of means of transportation on Wednesday. Prescott Police said its investigation started on Jan. 22 when the department received a report of a flatbed trailer that was stolen from a Walmart in the area of Gail Gardner Way and Iron Spring Road. By looking at surveillance footage, investigators found that the flatbed trailer was taken by someone in a lifted maroon Ford F-250 truck with chrome wheels and chrome running boards. Police said while a detective was off-duty, he saw a truck that matched the description at a gas station in the Congress area. He ran the license plate number and found that the truck was connected to several shoplifting reports at the Walmart where the flatbed trailer was stolen.  azfamily.com


Fort Myers, FL: Former Lee Memorial Hospital employee arrested for stealing $150,000 worth of equipment to sell online

Lexington, SC: Police in Lexington searching for man accused of shoplifting $600 e-bike