It's 'Agilence Week' on the D&D Daily! Follow along in the 'Vendor Spotlight' column below as Agilence showcases LP/AP solutions for the retail industry

Q&A with Dara Riordan, President of FaceFirst

California employers must comply with the new workplace violence prevention law starting July 1. How do you think facial recognition technology can help them protect employees?

Retailers need proactive tools that make stores safer for employees and customers. California's new law requires employers to have a workplace violence notification system. It also requires employers to investigate and track all threats of violence, including those made on social media.

A FaceFirst client recently received a social media threat of gun violence posted by an unknown individual. Using FaceFirst's investigation tools and a social media image, the retailer formed a threat profile for the man in less than two hours. He had a record of violent crimes against another retailer. FaceFirst match events provided investigators with the precise locations, dates, and times of the man's recent store visits. They reviewed his visits and confirmed he'd had a verbal altercation with an employee. They enrolled the man in their FaceFirst system. When he entered one of the retailer's stores eight days later, FaceFirst matched his face and sent an immediate notification: "Do not approach-call 9-1-1." The man was arrested without incident, though an illegal firearm was found in his car. Authorities issued a chainwide restraining order, and the man has not returned to any of the retailer's stores since.

What are retail executives who use facial recognition technology in their stores telling others about their experiences?

FaceFirst's rapid adoption has been driven by retailers making store safety their top priority. They're also applying FaceFirst's powerful investigative tools. Here's a recent quote from a longtime client: "We just had a big win with a skimmer crew. We had a very observant cashier see someone placing a skimmer on top of our POS device. We ran FaceFirst searches on the two individuals. Two suspects turned into 10, and one store turned into 54 stores. We found four more skimmers that had been placed in the past three days. We had zero victims, which makes our CEO pretty happy and supportive of the technology. We were able to complete the investigation from start to finish in five hours. No other tool can do that for you."

How are retailers using AI in addition to face matching?

We know millions of people use facial recognition every day to unlock phones, get through airport security, and go to ballgames. Many retailers already use face matching for life safety and loss prevention. Retailers also use AI for license plate recognition, self checkout, RFID, and other technologies that complement each other. They use face matching searches as evidence to back up RFID data, for example. The new standard will be systems that are more proactive, not just passive.

FaceFirst helps retailers prevent in-store violence and loss, boost their investigative efficiency, and protect their customers' privacy. FaceFirst's face matching technology alerts instantly when known threats enter, and it can quickly identify ORC rings and build cases to shut them down. FaceFirst can do in minutes what would take humans days or weeks-if at all-using standard CCTV.

Based in Austin, Texas, FaceFirst is a global leader in fast, accurate, and scalable face matching systems with high levels of security, privacy, and accountability. Learn more at facefirst.com.
 

Retailer Bans Large Personal Bags to Fight Theft
Giant announces ban on large bags at DC stores in controversial anti-theft effort

"Customers cannot bring suitcases, duffel bags, or bags larger than 14" x 14" x 6" while shopping" in select stores, Giant told News4 in a statement

Grocer Giant has announced it's banning large bags from all its stores in Washington, D.C. in an effort to prevent theft. When you walk into the Giant store in Shaw, one of the first things you'll see is a sign that says bags larger than 14 inches by 14 inches by 6 inches are prohibited.

Giant says the new bag policy just went into effect at all stores in the District due to unprecedented levels of theft. Sometimes, organized groups steal items in bulk.

Giant told News4 that the policy is in effect at select stores and began on Thursday.

Giant said the policy is also in effect at other stores in the region, but didn't specify which ones. The full statement reads:

Giant Food initiated a new policy at select stores that are experiencing high shrink to mitigate the unprecedented levels of product theft that have become unsustainable for our business. Starting May 23rd, customers cannot bring suitcases, duffel bags, or bags larger than 14" x 14" x 6" while shopping in these stores.

The retail theft we are experiencing across our market area is a problem that affects everyone. It limits product availability, creates a less convenient shopping experience, and, most critically, puts our associates and customers in harm's way.

We need to be able to run our stores safely and profitably, and we take these responsibilities seriously. The tactics we deploy are only one of the solutions to our problem.  nbcwashington.com


The Solution to Self-Checkout Theft?
Dollar General CEO says 'solution' has been found to self-checkout theft - for shoppers at 9k stores it means upheaval

Plus, a new restriction placed on customers wanting to use self-checkouts

Dollar General is rolling out three changes to its self-checkouts as the retailer cracks down on theft. In a Q4 earnings call in March, CEO Todd Vasos confirmed that the retailer has taken "decisive action" to tackle shrink, an industry term used for losses caused by damage, loss, and theft.

The retailer turned to artificial intelligence to find a "solution" to the issue which led them to their three self-checkout changes set to be rolled out across stores.

Vasos revealed that in the final quarter of the 2023 fiscal year, the retailer worked with AI experts at Everseen to roll out systems to monitor "hundreds of thousands of our self-checkout transactions."

The second change being made to some stores is that there will be no option for self-checkout at all. "Over the first half of the year, we plan to completely remove self-checkout from more than 300 of our highest shrink stores," Vasos said.

Lastly, those stores left with self-checkout will see item limits introduced at the self-service registers. This will limit customers to "transactions consisting of five items or less," the CEO confirmed.

Other retailers are currently facing the same problems with Shrink after Dollar Tree was forced to close 1,000 of its Family Dollar brand stores, with theft being a main factor.  Meanwhile, Walmart has removed self-checkout from some locations and Target has introduced an item limit of 10 or less at the self-service registers. the-sun.com


CA's Anti-Theft Law Moves Forward
California Retail Theft Reduction Act Advances to Senate
Assembly Democratic Caucus Chair Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood) has announced that AB 2943, the California Retail Theft Reduction Act, has passed the Assembly with no "No" votes, and advances to the Senate. AB 2943, jointly authored with Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) is a primary component of the Californians Against Retail Theft bipartisan bill package, which includes six additional bills that have also advanced to the Senate.

"We know that retail crime is an emotional issue for many of our constituents. Business owners fear for their livelihoods, workers fear for their wellbeing, and members of the public worry it may no longer be safe or convenient to frequent their neighborhood stores," said Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur.

Key Elements of the California Retail Theft Reduction Act

• Places great emphasis on stopping organized crime rings by creating a new crime targeting "serial" retail thieves, advancing key recommendations released by Governor Newsom's office.

• Specifically defines how the value of thefts from different victims can be aggregated to charge grand theft, clarifying the law that the intent standard can be met by evidence that the acts involve the same defendants, are substantially similar, and occur within a 90-day period.

• Expands the tools for police to make arrests for shoplifting using videotape evidence and sworn statements.

• Protects businesses from having nuisance actions brought against them for simply reporting legitimate retail crime incidents.

• Addresses the root cause of theft by expanding the use of diversion and rehabilitative programs, offering the opportunity for early discharge if the program is complete.

AB 2943 now moves to the California State Senate, where it will be heard in the coming weeks. smdp.com


States All Across U.S. Battle Theft
Opinion: Retail theft costs all of us
Delaware residents and businesses continue to suffer from the consequences of retail theft. In 2022, the total revenue lost to retail theft in Delaware was $285 million. Nationally, retail theft losses increased by 10.5% in the same year. When combined with losses from "return fraud," Delaware businesses lost a total of $547 million in 2022. While Delaware's retail theft per capita rate is a little lower than the average among all states, the numbers are beyond unacceptable.

The ability of retailers to reduce retail theft has been seriously impacted by their reluctance to have employees apprehend and detain suspects due to the increase in violence directed toward employees. Many retailers, including national chains, now prohibit their employees from intervening during a shoplifting. In fact, across the country, employees apprehend shoplifters only 2% of the time. As a result, it is not unusual to see criminals casually walk into an establishment, pick up whatever merchandise they want and walk out of the store unabated.

Our criminal justice system has not adapted adequately to this serious crime problem. Incidents are often not reported, and the consequences fall to the employees and business owners who bear the burden of these crimes. We have seen Target and Walmart, as well as Walgreens and CVS, close multiple stores in Delaware and across the country, with retail theft as the primary reason.

The state of Pennsylvania saw an increase in retail theft between 2021-22. The Pennsylvania legislature took definitive action and passed a law in 2024 that indicates a sea change in the approach to retail theft prosecution. The law requires the appointment of a deputy state attorney general and the hiring of a team of prosecutors specifically focused on retail theft throughout the state. The law also elevates retail theft to a felony-level crime, based on the amount of value of property stolen.

Advances in technology, training for employees, collaboration with law enforcement and efforts through business associations are all contributing to the battle against retail theft, but the criminal justice system must not be able to excuse their way out of their duty to effectively prosecute these criminals. baytobaynews.com


Canada Fighting the Same ORC Surge as the U.S.
300% surge in robbery-related violence

'They're hitting five stores a day': Big GTA theft-ring bust comes amid 300 per cent increase in robbery-related violence

York Regional Police said this week that 88 people were arrested, some as young as 14, and 169 charges laid in the probe of more than $333,000 worth of stolen goods.

In the wake of newly announced charges against dozens of people for their alleged roles in a loosely organized web of theft rings in York Region - rings that reportedly stole tens of thousands of dollars in merchandise - a Canadian retail agency is warning of a spike in violence during similar robberies.

The Retail Council of Canada told the Star on Friday that reported incidents of retail theft that involve some forms of violence have increased 300 per cent over the past four years.

Many of these thefts go unreported, said the retail council's spokesperson, Michelle Wasylyshen. "Retail theft is often thought of as a victimless crime, but it's not. It costs Canadian retailers billions of dollars a year - costs that are borne by all consumers when they go shopping," said Wasylyshen. "Business owners are concerned for the safety of their customers and employees."

"Desperate people may look towards violence," he said. Police did see some degree of violence used by thieves in this probe and Jackson said in this case it involved the thieves pushing and striking store clerks. No firearms were involved.

Investigators said the loosely organized groups, which had participants as young as 14 years old, targeted a broad range of stores. Following a flood of complaints from retailers, York Regional Police launched the Booster Initiative, which ran from Jan. 1 to March 1 and concentrated on 16 different retail chains, including pharmacies and clothing stores, police said. thestar.com
 

The Great Debate Over Security & Privacy Continues
Surveillance vs. Privacy: NYC's Controversial Retail Theft Initiative

New York City launches a program to combat retail theft, amid rising concerns over privacy and effectiveness, while global pollinator decline and surging fast-food prices highlight broader environmental and economic challenges.

In New York City, a new initiative has been launched to tackle the escalating issue of retail theft, which saw a staggering 97% increase from the previous year, with over 63,000 incidents reported in 2021. The program allows businesses to share their real-time camera feeds with the NYPD, aiming to deter potential thieves. Despite the innovative approach, there are concerns regarding its effectiveness, particularly due to the city's lenient legal stance on shoplifting and the potential for criminals to evade identification by wearing masks. Critics also fear the program could strain police resources, infringe on privacy rights, and inadvertently contribute to a surveillance state. Moreover, the reliance on AI technology and the absence of facial recognition tools raise questions about the program's ability to combat organized retail crime effectively.  peakprosperity.com


Imperial Valley, CA: Chamber, DA join efforts to address retail crime

Lansing, MI has a curfew ordinance. Police vow to enforce it after mass shooting
 

Tallahassee, FL: Florida Duo Accused Of Stealing Over $20,000 During Four-County Crime Spree
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody's Office of Statewide Prosecution is charging two individuals with felony organized retail theft. According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office investigation, Jimmy Carter Lamar and Donkeria Euniece Burgess stole dozens of items including Stanley cups, Bogg Bags, fragrances and other products during a 30-day period, totaling between $15,000 and $20,000. Thefts occurred at numerous stores including Dicks Sporting Goods, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Ulta Beauty and others crossing multiple judicial circuits. "his duo stole up to $20,000 worth of items, including Stanley cups, Bogg Bags and more from stores in four Florida counties within a 30-day period," Moody said. "Organized retail theft carries a real cost to businesses, resulting in even higher prices for consumers. Thanks to our law enforcement partners working with our statewide prosecutors, these thieves face felony charges." According to the investigation, Lamar and Burgess stole items including Stanley cups, Bogg Bags, high-end fragrances, cosmetics and household items by concealing the items and quickly leaving the store without paying. In a 30-day period from February to March, the duo stole $15,000 to $20,000 in merchandise from retailers including Dicks Sporting Goods, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Ulta Beauty, CVS and Walmart. The thefts occurred in Brevard, Broward, Orange and Palm Beach counties. Burgess committed the crimes while serving probation for a previous aggravated child abuse charge. PBSO separately arrested Lamar on charges for fleeing and eluding authorities in March. Burgess remains at large. Both individuals are charged with second-degree felony organized retail theft. Attorney General Moody's OSP will prosecute the case.  legalnewsline.com


Indian River County, FL: Update Bodycam shows pair accused in string of Best Buy thefts getting arrested in Indian River County
Body camera footage shows the moments deputies arrested two suspected shoplifters linked to a string of thefts from multiple Best Buy locations across Florida. Andrew Causa, 36, of Fort Lauderdale, and Danielle Lorini, 32, of Coral Springs, were seen in the bodycam getting apprehended by Indian River County Sheriff's deputies on May 14. Best Buy employees contacted the sheriff's office for two suspected shoplifters in the store. In the video, a deputy is seen in the parking lot trying to summon Causa. Causa runs off but doesn't make it very far when deputies catch up and wrestle him to the ground. A deputy then approaches Lorini, who is inside a white Jeep Grand Cherokee. He orders her to stop the car, and she rolls down the window and tells him, "I didn't do anything!" He orders Lorini to get out of the car and she complies. "I didn't do anything, sir," she says repeatedly as she gets handcuffed. "You just don't know how happy this team is," one employee tells the deputy. "They got us for $7,000, man." Causa and Lorini were arrested in January for allegedly stealing $20,000 worth of merchandise from a Miami Best Buy. In this case in Indian County, Causa faces charges of resisting an officer without violence, felony grand theft, possession of a controlled substance, and first-degree petit theft. Lorini faces charges of grand theft.  nbcmiami.com


Westover, WV: Westover Police investigating burglary at Zales
The Westover Police Department is investigating a burglary that happened at the Zales in Morgantown Mall over the holiday weekend. Westover Police sent 12 News photos taken from surveillance footage inside Zales that's timestamped at 9:26 p.m. on Saturday, May 25. At this time, police don't have a total dollar value for the stolen merchandise, but said it is believed to be in the thousands. Though a lot of the stolen products were costume jewelry, some were real, police said. Because Zales' automated system didn't alert law enforcement of the break-in, the theft wasn't discovered until janitors notified the store and called the police, they said. Investigators are working to piece footage together from multiple stores in the mall, as the mall doesn't have a dedicated security system, police said.   wboy.com


Wilmington Manor, DE: Burglars use truck to steal guns from Wilmington Manor store
The flatbed truck burglars allegedly used to smash open the front entrance to Miller's Gun Store on West Jackson Avenue in Wilmington Manor has reportedly been found behind a business on the opposite side of Route 13. New Castle County Police say their officers responded to the store shortly before 2 a.m. on Monday, May 27, 2024, for an alarm. While they were enroute, a witness called 9-1-1 to report a flatbed truck had backed up in front of the store and then crashed into the front entrance. According to county police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives responded to scene and has now joined in the investigation. Officials say several firearms were stolen, but they have not said exactly how many, or what type. The truck, which was previously reported stolen, was discovered Tuesday morning and investigators were processing the scene for evidence.  wdel.com


Douglas County, NV: Four in custody in Douglas e-bike thefts
Four California men accused of a series of stealing e-bicycles appeared in East Fork Justice Court on Tuesday morning. San Pablo residents Victor Anguiano, 29, Emmanuel Villagomez-Morales, 31, Angel Ruiz-Arroyo, 26, and Richmond resident Jesus Garcia were arrested after deputies learned of the thefts from across the county, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. "Deputies identified several suspects driving a white Dodge panel van," authorities said. "The suspects were eventually located at Walmart, in Gardnerville. Deputies recovered four e-bikes, valued at approximately $5,900." Two men appeared in East Fork Justice Court on Friday on a half-dozen charges related to a theft at the Jacks Valley Home Depot. Prosecutor Erik Levin said that the store chain has been looking for them in prior thefts and they were found with more than 30 receipts from the last month. According to the charging document, the men had inventory pricing labels, which could be used to replace the store's labels. They are facing charges of burglary of a business, possession of a controlled substance, burglary tools, paraphernalia and conspiracy.  recordcourier.com


Pittsburgh, PA: 2 men accused of stealing over $4,000 from Allegheny County Giant Eagle in several trips

Victorville, CA: Women accused of stealing more than $1,000 worth of merchandise from Victorville JCPenney