Home Depot Shooting Update

Loss prevention officer, off-duty police officer, shot at Dallas Home Depot had recently moved there from Spokane
The loss prevention officer, Scott Painter, shot at a Home Depot store in Dallas Tuesday afternoon had recently moved to Texas from Spokane. He is also listed in critical condition, but Chief U. Renee Hall said the department is "optimistic" about what they are seeing with Painter and the other officer right now.

The gunman accused of opening fire at a Dallas home improvement store - killing one police officer and critically injuring two others - was initially detained because he was acting suspiciously and may have tried to steal from the store, an arrest warrant revealed Wednesday.  khq.com

'He's A Hero': Dallas Police Association President praises LP officer
Dallas Police Association President Mike Mata joined the WBAP Morning News on Thursday. "He's a hero, just the same as our officers are," Mata said. "He took three rounds that could have been pointed in the direction of our officers, and we might have lost Crystal also. So he is one of us." To hear the entire interview between Mike Mata and the WBAP Morning News, click here. wbap.com

GoFundMe page started for Scott Painter, Home Depot AP Specialist shot on Tuesday
On Tuesday April 24th, Scott Painter and two Dallas police officers were shot at a North Dallas Home Depot. A shoplifter opened fire on the police officers and civilians. Scott did every selfless act he could think of to get people to safety and out of harms way. Scott is now in the ICU with multiple gunshot wounds to the head and shoulder. He will be in the ICU for probably a week. During this difficult time, there will be many things to take care of. We would like to make this time as easy as possible for Scott and Scarlett. This is a long recovery and any little bit helps. Click here to donate to Scott's fund gofundme.com

Suspect's behavior drew police attention before fatal shooting at Dallas Home Depot, warrant says
An off-duty officer who was working a part-time job at the Home Depot store in the north of the city learned Armando Luis Juarez, 29, had an outstanding felony warrant after he was detained by store officials for suspected shoplifting, according to the arrest warrant.

Two on-duty officers, Rogelio Santander and Crystal Almeida, were called to the store and, along with a Home Depot loss-prevention officer, were speaking with Juarez in an office. The off-duty officer stepped away, heard a report of "shots fired" broadcast over the police radio and then rushed back to the office to find the officers and loss-prevention employee on the ground with gunshot wounds, according to the warrant.

Investigators later reviewed police body-camera footage that showed Juarez pulling a handgun from his pocket as Santander and Almeida attempted to take him into custody, the warrant alleges.

Police Chief U. Renee Hall said at a brief news conference Wednesday that Almeida and Painter are "making remarkable recoveries" following surgery.

"This is going to be a trying time for us, so we're just asking you for your support at this time," Hall said.

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said late Tuesday that he was "upset at the lack of respect for our police in this city and in our country."

A Home Depot spokesman told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the shooting sent a wave of horror through the home improvement store chain's corporate headquarters in Atlanta.

"We're heartbroken," said spokesman Stephen Holmes. He added that the chain's leadership team has been actively supporting Painter's family and offering counseling to his co-workers. chicagotribune.com

Update: Dallas police officer died Wednesday, day after being shot at Home Depot
A Dallas police officer died Wednesday morning, a day after he and a colleague were shot at a Home Depot, police said. Officer Rogelio Santander, a three-year police veteran, passed away at 8:11 a.m. from a gun shot wound to the back of the head. Officer Crystal Almeida was shot directly in the face and Doctors are amazed she even survived. So far she has not spoken. Both Officer Crystal Almeida and The Home Depot Asset Protection Specialist, Scott Painter remain in critical condition, but are improving, according to Dallas Police.

The suspect, Armando Juárez, 29, is facing a capital murder charge, a count of aggravated assault on a public servant and a count of aggravated assault in retaliation, Dallas County Jail records show. He is also charged with a previous felony theft warrant.

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Tyco Retail Solutions Revolutionizes LP with New Sensormatic Shrink Analytics Offering At RILA Retail Asset Protection Conference 2018
Shrink Management as a Service provides retailers with real-time intelligence in the cloud

Tyco Retail Solutions will showcase its Sensormatic Shrink Management as a Service (SMaaS) at the 2018 RILA Retail Asset Protection Conference, April 29 - May 2, at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. This revolutionary loss prevention platform is designed to help retailers enhance productivity, and increase reliability and performance of Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) systems for a new generation of innovative loss prevention. The new Google Cloud-based service provides both device management and predictive analytics to manage shrink while addressing underlying root causes.

With easy to navigate dashboards, Sensormatic SMaaS helps makes sense of the data so retailers can identify problems earlier and make better decisions. Loss prevention professionals can gain a clear picture of store operations across individual stores, districts, regions and even enterprise-wide to isolate data and compare performance metrics. For example, the organized retail crime (ORC) map gives retailers insights into ORC activity in a specific geographic area, taking into account metal-foil and jammer detection alarms. It groups the stores experiencing the same ORC event, empowering retailers with analytics for proactive decision making.

Retailers can also receive automatic notifications on an exception basis to help identify serious issues that need their attention. By taking preventative measures, retailers can adjust their strategies, which include optimizing staffing or addressing training gaps, to avoid future problems.

"Know What's in Store" with Tyco Retail Solutions at RILA Retail Asset Protection Conference 2018:
Visit the Retail Asset Protection Conference, Booth # 401 to see firsthand how Tyco Retail is helping retailers "Know What's in Store."

You can learn more about Shrink Management as a Service (SMaaS), here.

Are We Losing Ground?
75% Reduction in Officer Level Appointments in Q1 over Q1 2017
Understanding all of the variables of our recent Q1 Senior LP/AP Jobs report, published this past Tuesday, like not possibly catching all of the appointments and the level of scrutiny every report is viewed with, the 75% Q1 reduction of those executives named Vice Presidents, is none the less dramatic. Even when factoring in an error ratio of whatever one feels would be appropriate and taking into consideration the shrinking market and store closures. It still doesn't account for the huge decline. Or at least in this writers opinion it doesn't.

Then when you take into consideration the Macy's reorganization, the Home Depot field cuts and investigations centralization, the Walgreens and Target ORC eliminations, the divisional cuts at Lowe's, Ascena's reorg. & headcount reductions and others, one has to ask the question: Is LP/AP losing ground? Or is it the natural impact of a shrinking store base that's impacting all of the departments?

On the other side of the coin, however, all we hear about now is the cybercrime explosion and the severe cybersecurity skills shortage. Coupled with every retailer throwing every dime they have at the digital revolution to such an extent that we know of three LP capital budgets that have been virtually frozen for now until those three retailers determine how much left over they have to dedicate to LP capital.

Certainly these three retailers don't represent mainstream but they do point to a deep cultural shift of what's happening on a broader scale and the need for every retail LP/AP executive to be able to develop and present well thought out business cases that exceed customary ROI's and add value beyond the LP/AP function.

Yes, cybersecurity is taking priority, as well it should, but where are you in the process and how are your efforts expanding and enabling you to maintain that seat at the table?

RILA just added a session "Writing Proposals That Get Read" and just look at the other session titles and you'll see what this article is hopefully saying. From "Growth, Relevance, Influence: Reimagining Your Retail Trajectory," to "Expand Your Expertise" and "Quantifying and Communicating AP Team Value," to "Revolutionizing Retail AP" and "Is Your Organization Positioned to Address Digital Risk," the bottom line is traditional LP/AP is virtually gone and retail America's expectations and needs have changed. The question is how are you and your team changing in order to truly add value and play a vital role in this era of digital transformation.

Editor's Note: It certainly looks like RILA is dead on with their vision. Just a thought, Gus Downing

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Media Declares - It's a "War on Cops"
Cop Killings Double in 2018 - 33 On-Duty Deaths
Over 10% Killed in Retail
Nearly 10% of police officer deaths have been related to retail.

Since the start of 2018, at least 33 law enforcement officers across the U.S. have died while on duty -- with 21 of the deaths caused by gunfire.

Roughly 135 cops died in 2016, making it the deadliest year for police officers in at least five years, Fox News has determined. While there were fewer deaths in 2017, the numbers weren't much better: A total of 129 officers died last year. And 46 of those deaths were caused by gunfire.

Four in retail in 2018:

- Dallas police Officer Rogelio Santander succumbed to his injuries and died after he was shot responding to an incident at Home Depot, Mayor Mike Rawlings said. While the other officer - Almeida, who was reportedly shot in the face at Home Depot, is still "fighting hard," Dallas Police Association President Michael Mata told KDFW-TV.

- A sheriff's deputy was fatally shot while he was responding to a robbery at a Maine convenience store on April 25, the Somerset County Sheriff's Office said.

- While eating lunch at a restaurant in Trenton, Florida, Sgt. Noel Ramirez, 29, and Deputy Sheriff Taylor Lindsey, 25, were fatally shot in what appeared to be an ambush on April 19.

On average, at least 1 officer has been shot to death every week this year. On April 20, CNN reported 19 officers were shot and killed; this week, sadly, two more will be added to that staggering number.

In the first 16 weeks of this year, 19 law enforcement officers across the US have been shot and killed in the line of duty. That averages out to more than one death a week.

The image below maps police shooting deaths this year, as of April 26. cnn.com foxnews.com cbsnews.com

(Update) Somerset County, Maine: Manhunt continues for suspect in killing of Sheriff's Deputy at Cumberland Farms store
A manhunt is underway for the suspect in what is believed to be the first killing of a law enforcement officer in Maine in nearly 30 years. The fatal shooting of Somerset County Cpl. Eugene Cole on Wednesday in Norridgewock triggered an intensive search for John Williams, 29, in and around the heavily wooded rural community about 60 miles west of Bangor. Officials said the Madison man was scheduled to appear in court to face gun charges when he killed the sheriff's deputy, stole his cruiser and robbed a convenience store. Helicopters, armored vehicles and police cruisers were spotted around Norridgewock, and schools were locked down as federal, state and local law enforcement poured into the region to look for Williams. Law enforcement officials said he had arrest records in Maine, Tennessee and Massachusetts. Corporal Eugene Cole, 62, was with the department for 13 years. He has a son who is also with the department. "He was one of the finest deputies that you would want to meet," Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster said. abcnews.go.com

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Cash is no longer king
Not everyone is happy that restaurants are going cashless
A growing number of restaurants across the country - like test locations for Starbucks and Shake Shack and the entire Dos Toros and Tender Greens chains - are no longer accepting cash. It's all plastic all the time.

The stores believe not dealing with cash helps move the line of customers faster. Plus, counting the cash at the end of the day is a waste of time.

But the war on cash has sparked a backlash.

State lawmakers, a civil rights group, the National Retail Federation and a company servicing ATMs are all pushing back against the trend, claiming that refusing the greenback - on which the US Treasury writes "This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private" - is simply un-American.

Manhattan lawmaker circulated a memo on Tuesday to his colleagues proposing legislation requiring New York businesses to accept cash.

In Chicago last year, two city aldermen introduced a bill similar to Gottfried's. "A 'no cash' sign is a 'not welcome' sign for many without ready access to credit," the proposed Chicago ordinance reads. The bill is still pending before the City Council there.

In Massachusetts, a similar bill was enacted into law years ago. The Bay State is the first - and only - state to bar cashless businesses.

Social justice groups are concerned that people of color and low-income consumers will be the collateral damage in a cashless society. nypost.com

Guide to New Tax Incentives for Security and Fire Protection Systems
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (P.L. 115-97) signed into law on Dec. 22, 2017, included two important changes to the U.S. tax code providing incentives for businesses to invest in new security, fire protection and alarm systems. These incentives were part of the broader effort in the new law to produce long-term economic growth by encouraging business to make capital investments.

Generally, the costs of commercial-use security, fire protection and alarm systems are capitalized and depreciated over a recovery period of five, seven, 15 or 39 years, dependent on factors such as the type of system purchased, the integration within a building structure, whether the installation involves owned or leased property, and the relationship to business activity.

Beginning in 2018, the new tax law allows many businesses to write off the full cost of such systems as an expense for the tax year they were placed in service, eliminating the capitalization requirement. securityindustry.org

Retail Rents Plunge in Major Manhattan Shopping Districts
Meatpacking District sees deepest decline
Retail rents in Manhattan fell in the first quarter as landlords adjusted pricing and offered more remodeling allowances, shorter terms and options for tenants to exit.

In all, first quarter annual asking rents declined in 13 out of 16 shopping corridors, and the overall average asking rent for those areas dropped 19.5% from the previous year to $653 a square foot. Conditions are favorable for tenants. "I think we will start to see some more of the savvier tenants of companies realize we're starting to get to a point where they can drive some good deals for themselves." wsj.com

What & Who is Driving Retailers?
"The Spendsetters" - Just "Walk Out" Group
Long Lines Cost Retailers $37.7 Billion in Last 12 Months
"Over the last 12 months, 86 percent of U.S. consumers say they have left a store due to long lines, resulting in purchases at a different retailer or no purchase at all. This results in approximately $37.7 billion lost in potential sales. In addition, $1.1 billion in potential sales have been lost when retailers don't support their customers' preferred payment methods," said an Adyen spokesman.

"Spendsetters, one-third of all consumers and 52 percent of Millennials, are the tech-savvy, and early to adopt new digital services and functionality, will drive the future of retail as the key segment of shoppers who set the trends for how people want to spend and shop. They are a leading indicator of broader customer demands in retail experience and where the industry is headed," the spokesman explained.

According to the survey results, 75 percent of the group will patron stores that offer simple "walk-out" payment options - 69 percent would prefer to shop in-store with shorter lines and that offer the direct shipment of products that might be out of stock. What's more, 86 percent have left a store before completing their purchase due to lengthy lines. wwd.com

When Giving References, How Truthful Can You Be?
Let's be real: The employment relationship doesn't always end on a positive note. So what can LP/AP professionals lawfully say when they're asked to vouch for a former-perhaps even infamous-employee as part of a reference check? Can they share that someone was fired or a poor performer?

The answer is usually yes, as long as you're being truthful-but be aware of your rights and responsibilities under state law.

Most states have enacted legislation that gives employers qualified immunity when providing information for references. That means you're protected from civil liability if you're responding in good faith-in other words, without knowingly providing false or misleading information or acting with malicious intent-explained Molly Lee Kaban, an attorney with Hanson Bridgett in San Francisco.

But you could still face a defamation (libel or slander) lawsuit from the worker or a negligent referral lawsuit from that person's prospective employer if you don't limit the type of information provided and make sure it was given to the correct person, said Sage Knauft, an attorney with Walsworth in Orange, Calif.

In states without immunity statutes, such as New York and Massachusetts, it's trickier to provide reference information beyond the basic dates of employment. But you may want to seriously consider giving more details if the reason for separation includes conduct that jeopardized others' safety, noted Joan Rennekamp, a human resource consultant with Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Here are some tips from legal experts on how to avoid liability when providing job references: Review all applicable state laws. Maintain control of the information. Be consistent in how requests are handled. Stick to the facts. Get permission from the employee. shrm.org

Buy Buy Baby Sued After NY Girl Killed By Fallen Chest
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.'s Buy Buy Baby retailer sold a 65-pound chest that was defectively designed in a way that allowed it to tip over and kill a young girl, says a suit filed Tuesday in New York court.

The girl's mother, New York resident Erica Fried, alleges that the chest was intended to be used by children like hers but posed an "unreasonable" risk of tipping over and included no tools to fasten the product to the wall. Less than two years ago, the dresser fell onto the child and killed her at age 3.

Fried's counsel Robert L. Fellows of Fellows Hymowitz PC said the entire incident could have been avoided if manufacturers would just warn parents about tip-over risks and spend a few dollars to enclose brackets that could secure furniture to the wall. law360.com


New York: NYC Mandates Temporary Schedule Changes (7/18/18)

Washington Bans the Box (6/6/18)

Missouri: Kansas City Bans the Box (6/9/18)

The Most Expensive Takeover in Retail Is Drowning in Debt

GNC to shutter 200 stores

Subway to close 500 in North America

Baltimore, MD: Maryland Retailers Association angered by Mayor Pugh's criticism of Corner Stores as Crime Hubs


Quarterly Results
GNC Q1 domestic company owned comp's down 0.5%, domestic franchise comp's down 1.9%, net sales down 7.2%


Publishing Note: Our weekly LP Newswire email will be going out tomorrow morning
 

Retail Risk - Dallas: The world's biggest LP conference series comes to Dallas - May 17th 2018 Since its inception the Retail Risk conference series has become a mecca for senior retail risk and loss prevention professionals. Here's why... An outstanding agenda, bursting with an international cast of retail risk and loss prevention elite, leading academics and law enforcement personnel. Each offering their own unique insights and expertise, with nothing held back. All for delegates to study, learn and profit from and provided free of charge. Add to this a great range of exhibitors demonstrating the latest tech and techniques; unparalleled networking opportunities between professionals; round table sessions facilitating free discussions in complete confidence on hot topics affecting retail; as well as complimentary refreshments and an excellent, hot lunch... and you can see why Retail Risk - Dallas will become a welcome addition to the biggest retail risk and loss prevention conference series in the world. For more information, including registration, click here