Property & Violent Crimes Continue to Plague California Communities
Despite a drop in homicides, Calif. property crime is up 6.2% and violent crime is up 6.1%

California releases annual crime rates; 'more remains to be done'
Over the past decade, California experienced a spike in the number of untraceable guns used to commit crimes. In 2022, there was a 7% drop in crimes committed using guns without serial numbers, the first decrease recorded since 2013.

The cities with the highest crimes committed while using untraceable guns were Los Angeles with 4,968, or 12.44%, San Diego with 1,562, or 3.91%, San Francisco with 1,132, or 2.83%, and Sacramento with 1,088 or 2.72%.

While crime rates remain below their historical highs, property and violent crimes continue to plague communities, and gun violence remains a "major threat to public safety," Bonta said.

The state's gun death rate is below the national average, but gun violence accounted for nearly three-fourths of all California homicides in 2022. 

The homicide rate, defined as the number of homicides per 100,000 people in the state, decreased 5% in 2022 (from 6 per 100,000 in 2021 to 5.7 per 100,000 in 2022), well below California's historical high of 12.9 per 100,000 in 1993. There was a 4.2% decrease in total homicide arrests from 1,550 in 2021 to 1,485 in 2022.

Property Crime & Violent Crime Remain High

The violent crime rate increased 6.1% from 466.2 in 2021 to 494.6 in 2022, less than California's historical high of 1,103.9 in 1992. The property crime rate increased 6.2% from 2,178.4 in 2021 to 2,313.6 in 2022, below California's historical high of 6,880.6 in 1980.

The total arrest rate decreased 2.7% from 2,606.3 in 2021 to 2,535.2 in 2022, continuing an ongoing year-to-year downward trend that began in 2004 when the total arrest rate was 5,385.5. visaliatimesdelta.com

California's ORC Task Force Making Progress

Does No-Bail in Chicago Have the Same Impact as it Had in NYC?
Illinois is set to become the first state in the nation to eliminate cash bail

Chicago PD: Theft Up 98% Over 2020, Robbery Up 30% Over 2020

Cook County (EN: Progressive Prosecutor) State's Attorney Kim Foxx and Public Defender Sharone Mitchell also released statements praising the court's decision.

Several retailers have closed on Michigan Avenue in recent months, including AT&T, Banana Republic, Macy's, Uniqlo and Timberland.

Earlier this year, it was reported that the vacancy rate on the Magnificent Mile had reached 29 percent. nbcchicago.com

One Chicago restaurant after 28 years is moving to Downers Grove stating: "No one comes to the city from the suburbs anymore. Crime is out of control - gun violence, car jackings, you name it," Aguirre said. "How can you take your family out to eat if you're worried something is going to happen?" suntimes.com

Chicago Today: Our next police superintendent must prioritize dealing with the violent crime that's happening now

Chicago's crime problem is about to get worse
Chicago's crime problem is notoriously bad. And, over the past few years, it has only become more severe. Crime has spiked 88% since 2021 and there are no indications the trend will be reversing any time soon.

Even worse, Chicago's new mayor, Brandon Johnson, just released a 223-page report titled "A Blueprint for Creating a More Just and Vibrant City for All" that included a truly disastrous "public safety" plan.

The plan, which was inspired by a "struggle rooted in black liberation," contains no recommendations to increase enforcement of crimes. msn.com


Cleveland Gun Violence "Out of Control"
New Ordinance Requires Armed Guards 11 p.m. - 5 a.m.

Proposed law would require all late-night businesses to hire armed security in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - A mass shooting in Cleveland's Warehouse District last weekend that sent nine people to the hospital was a devastating wake-up call to many in the city that the gun violence is out of control.

"Gun violence has really spiked and gone through the roof in our city, and I'm just appalled that we continuously see the same thing reoccurring," said Ward 5 Cleveland City Councilman Richard Starr.

Recent statistics from police show shootings are up 12%, murders are up 30% and carjackings in the city are up 98% from last year.

If the ordinance passes it would require any bar, restaurant, store, or gas station operating between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. to have at least one-armed security guard.

Councilman Starr said the ordinance could pass as early as August and if it does pass any late-night business that doesn't hire armed security could be charged with a misdemeanor. cleveland19.com


Preventing Retail Crime: Is It All in the Entrance?
Strengthening retail loss prevention with advanced secured entry solutions
Secured entry solutions have long been established as proven tools in the fight against shrinkage, theft and unauthorized entry into protected areas. From revolving doors and turnstiles for high-traffic stores to interlocking portals for high-end merchandisers, retailers are increasingly deploying security entrances to help curtail losses while maintaining welcoming, secure environments for their customers. When deployed in large retail box stores and warehouses, a layered application of secured entry solutions can eliminate shrinkage caused by insider threats, external operators and employee collusion.

Ongoing labor shortages, challenges with employee retention and a rise in social tensions have contributed significantly to the risks faced by retailers. Retailers must take an active role in crime prevention, not just to minimize shrinkage but to guarantee long-term business continuity.

For demanding retail applications where expensive merchandise is sold, like jewelry and watch stores or designer handbags and clothing shops, secured entry solutions, such as security revolving doors and interlocking mantrap portals, can offer a higher level of preventative security by thwarting unauthorized entry attempts as they occur. This level of secured entry is also ideal for back-areas such as cash rooms, vaults and storage areas that are off limits to unauthorized personnel. To further fortify access, these security entrances can be configured with sensors to detect tailgating and piggybacking, identifying when two people try to enter on a single authorization. If tailgating or piggybacking is detected, entry can be immediately prohibited.

It is unfortunately not uncommon for criminals to bypass physical barriers to entry on their quest to commit theft. Smash and grab burglary, wherein individuals smash a barrier, grab readily available valuables and then make a quick getaway, is a common tactic. Smash and grab burglaries occur quickly with the associated costs often far exceeding the cost of the goods that are stolen. Luxury retailers often have trouble keeping up foot traffic sales with plywood in their front doors. Many more are spending thousands to hire on-site security personnel to safeguard their facilities while awaiting repairs.

High-end merchandisers are frequent targets of smash and grab robberies, as criminals can make off with thousands of dollars' worth of products in their hands within seconds. And while advanced security entrances are not immune to smash and grab attempts, there are numerous vandal and bullet resistant solutions available that can be applied to glass facades and security entrances to help further fortify retail establishments while adding another layer of protection for employees and patrons inside. securitymagazine.com


Are Social Media & Gun Retailers to Blame for Buffalo Store Massacre?
Lawsuit says social media & gun companies played roles in 2022 Buffalo shooting
The attorneys and families of the Buffalo Tops supermarket shooting victims filed a new civil lawsuit Wednesday against several social media platforms, gun retailers, and the shooter's parents for their roles in the shooting.

The 176-page lawsuit filed in the New York Supreme Court argues that several corporations in addition to the shooter's parents played a role in May 2022 deadly mass shooting that killed 10 Black people and injured three others.

Nearly a dozen companies were mentioned in the lawsuit, including Meta (which owns both Facebook and Instagram), Reddit, Amazon (which owns Twitch), Google, YouTube, Discord and 4Chan. Other companies named in the lawsuit as defendants include RMA Armament - a body-armor manufacturer - and Vintage Firearms, LLC, a gun retailer.

The lawsuit also argues that the gunman, now 20-year-old Payton Gendron was radicalized by these social media platforms, which directly lead to him carrying out the deadly shooting.

"These social media companies, they knew or should have known that these algorithms will lead people to act in racist, violent manners," Crump said during the news conference. npr.org


Virginia ABC taking preventative measures against retail shrink and theft
Kane said ABC is enhancing security systems through more advanced camera systems and confirming the cameras are in good places to capture quality images.

Three anti-theft measures retailers are using to protecting stores

New Zealand: Security-tagged bacon spotted at store as retail crime soars

Drive-by shootings spike as violent crime stays low in Cincinnati

OSHA Rolls Out New Program for High-Risk Retail Establishments
Regulatory Update: Emphasis Program To Prevent Warehouse Workplace Hazards
DOL on July 13, launched a national emphasis program to prevent workplace hazards in warehouses, processing facilities distribution centers, and high-risk retail establishments.

In the past 10 years, warehousing and distribution centers have experienced tremendous growth with more than 1.9 million people employed in the industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows injury and illness rates for these establishments are higher than in private industry overall and, in some sectors, more than twice the rate of private industry.

"Our enforcement efforts are designed to do one thing: lead to permanent change in workplace safety," said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker, in a statement. "This emphasis program allows OSHA to direct resources to establishments where evidence shows employers must be more intentional in addressing the root causes of worker injuries and align their business practices with the goal to ensure worker health and safety."

Under this three-year emphasis program, OSHA will conduct comprehensive safety inspections focused on hazards related to powered industrial vehicle operations, material handling and storage, walking and working surfaces, means of egress and fire protection. The program will also include inspections of retail establishments with high injury rates with a focus on storage and loading areas; however, OSHA may expand an inspection's scope when evidence shows that violations may exist in other areas of the establishment. ehstoday.com


Retail Industry Impact of Possible Kroger-Albertsons Merger
How the Kroger, Albertsons merger could disrupt employment

At the corporate level, duplicate positions could be eliminated for efficiency

The looming potential merger of Kroger and Albertsons promises to impact, not just the two companies involved, but also the entire industry, from retail competitors to the companies' suppliers and business partners.

As previously reported, Kroger and Albertsons have agreed to merge in a $24.6 billion deal that is scheduled to close early next year, pending FTC approval.

Perhaps nowhere is concern about the merger felt more strongly than among the workers of the two companies who fear the deal may cost them their jobs. Although Kroger and Albertsons have both stated that no stores would be closed as a result of the merger, hundreds of locations could be spun off to a new owner.

In addition, many corporate-level positions at both companies are likely to be eliminated as duplicate functions are consolidated, although those job cuts will likely take place over an extended period of time.

The fact remains that there will be considerable overlap in senior-level jobs. The companies will address that issue "on a case-by-case, region-by-region, and brand-by-brand basis."

Many corporate-level positions are likely to be redefined by the merger, with new responsibilities, and some jobs would likely be relocated as the newly formed company would seek to drive operational efficiencies. supermarketnews.com


5-Year Investigation Scrutinizes 'Toxic Work Culture' at McDonald's UK
McDonald's workers in the UK as young as 16 say they were sexually harassed on the job, an explosive report says

More than 100 current and former workers detailed allegations of harassment, sexual assault, racism, and homophobia.

The BBC was told that workers, some as young as 17, are being groped and harassed almost routinely. The UK equality watchdog said it was "concerned" by the BBC's findings and is launching a new email hotline.

McDonald's said it had "fallen short" and it "deeply apologised". It added that all employees deserved to work in a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace.

The BBC began investigating working conditions at McDonald's in February, after the company signed a legally binding agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in which it pledged to protect its staff from sexual harassment.

At the time, McDonald's insisted: "We already have a strong track record in this area." But our investigation has revealed a very different picture.

Over a five-month period, we reached out to McDonald's workers to ask about their experiences of working there. Of the more than 100 allegations from employees we spoke to, 31 related to sexual assault, and 78 related to sexual harassment.

We also heard 18 allegations of racism, while six people made allegations of homophobia. bbc.com


Expanded Adoption of Facial Recognition Continues Globally
Face recognition powered by iPad lets international travellers skip checkpoints
A face recognition system powered by iPads lets international business travellers skip two of the three checkpoints at Eurostar's London terminus.

Usually, when you board an international train from London to Paris, or any of the four other European cities served by Eurostar, you have to go through three separate checkpoints. But a new iPad-powered system lets people walk straight past two of them.

Usually, you pass through three checkpoints at the London terminal. But TNW reports that some travellers can now skip the first two of these. Facial recognition is used to identify you, without even requiring you to pause.

Before travel, the passenger downloads the app, authenticates their ID, scans their face, and links their ticket. On arrival at St Pancras Station, they stroll through a dedicated lane for the tech - dubbed SmartCheck - which verifies their entry. 9to5mac.com

   RELATED: Carnival Cruise Line Expands Facial Recognition for Faster Debarkation


'UPS dug their heels in': Teamsters UPS strike plans emerge, could affect 30% of parcels

If the Teamsters strike, some 340,000 drivers, warehouse workers and other employees could walk off the job in one of the largest labor actions in U.S. history.

UPS training nonunion drivers complicates bargaining efforts. thehill.com


Lidl to close 11 stores across the United States immediately

In-N-Out is barring staff from wearing masks unless they have a medical note

Fraudster Hits 21 States For $733,000 in Gift Cards
DOJ: Pennsylvania Man Gets Two Years in Federal Prison for Participation in Nationwide Fraud Scheme
WILMINGTON, Del. - A Philadelphia, Pennsylvania man was sentenced yesterday to two years in federal prison for his participation in a nationwide scheme to fraudulently obtain over $700,000 in gift cards and merchandise from a nationwide home improvement store.

Mamadou Bah, 39, conducted over a thousand fraudulent transactions at home improvement stores throughout the country between May 2018 and June 2020, using the fake name "Richard Traynham." Bah would pay for gift cards and merchandise at home improvement stores using a barcode on his phone that was linked to fraudulently obtained credit cards. All told, Bah caused losses in excess of $733,000 across stores in 21 states. For this conduct, Bah pled guilty to aggravated identity theft, which carries a two-year mandatory sentence. justice.gov


DOJ: Harrisburg Man Sentenced To 24 Month's Imprisonment For Aggravated Identity Theft
Amisial Elveus, 32, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on July 11, 2023, by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson, to 24 months in prison to be followed by 12 months of supervised release for aggravated identity theft.

From July 6, 2020, until November 6, 2020, in Dauphin County, Elveus unlawfully obtained and used credit card account numbers belonging to unsuspecting individuals, used the numbers to code credit cards, and then used the credit cards to pay for gasoline fill-ups for multiple vehicles on multiple days at a Giant gas station on Union Deposit Road in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Elveus was arrested at the Giant on November 6, 2020, while in the process of filling cars with gas that he paid for with a fraudulently encoded credit card.

Judge Wilson also ordered Elveus to pay restitution in the amount of $32,227.71. justice.gov


Fairfax County, VA: Organized theft group arrested in Fairfax County, charged for stealing thousands worth of luxury items in Montgomery County
The Fairfax County Police Department said it was able to prevent an organized retail theft crew from stealing from a McLean store. The group was accused of stealing thousands in luxury goods from a store in Chevy Chase, Maryland on Thursday. On July 13, police received a tip of a retail theft crew that left the Saks Fifth Avenue store in Chevy Chase, Maryland in a gold Chevrolet Impala with Pennsylvania tags. Officers used this information as well as LPR technology and learned that the car was nearby their location in Fairfax County. Fairfax police soon saw the car heading into Saks Fifth Avenue in McLean. Police said that once the suspects were in the store, they grabbed multiple high-end handbags and other luxury merchandise and went towards the exit without paying. When the two suspects were approached by the store's Loss Prevention team, they ran. Officers who were already in the area were able to take one suspect into custody. Police found the other suspect in a nearby dumpster after searching the area. The driver of the vehicle was also found and taken into custody. A representative from another retail store reported that one of the suspects had stolen from their business.  dcnewsnow.com


San Francisco, CA: Walgreens chain freezers shut after shoplifters rob store 20 times a day
Footage of a San Francisco Walgreens shows the glass doors of the frozen food section chained shut after workers complained that the store gets robbed nearly 20 times a day. The video, posted online by political commentator Richie Greenberg, shows all the doors to frozen microwavable meals held shut by thick chains secured with several large metal locks. Another portion of the clip shows entire aisles locked behind plexiglass fixtures and floor-to-ceiling glass cabinets. Customers must go to a store employee to unlock the display to buy many products, such as hair dye, makeup, shaving cream and over-the-counter medicine. Workers told the local media that shoplifters clean out all the pizza and ice cream from their inventory every night. They also say thieves hit the store and fill their bags with stolen goods 20 times a day. foxnews.com


Mankato, MN: Third man charged with burglary in relation to $33,000 hobby shop burglary
A man who was originally accused of receiving stolen property from the Atlantis Hobby shop now faces a burglary charge related to the April break-in. Stoney Ramell Johnson, 35, was charged with felony third-degree burglary Friday in Blue Earth County District Court, according to an amended criminal complaint. He still faces the felony receiving stolen property charge. Johnson is the third person charged with burglary in connection to the break-in, which reportedly resulted in about $33,000 in merchandise being taken.  mankatofreepress.com


McLean, VA: Organized shoplifting attempt at Saks Fifth Avenue in Tysons foiled
Three people arrested for recently attempting to shoplift from Saks Fifth Avenue in Tysons Galleria were part of an "organized retail theft crew" based in Philadelphia, Fairfax County police say. The three individuals - one man and two women - were seen picking up "multiple high-end handbags and other luxury merchandise" at the store on July 13, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. Officers with the department's Tysons Urban Team (TUT) had tracked the trio to the store after getting a tip from Sak's Fifth Avenue's regional loss prevention team that their vehicle - a gold Chevrolet Impala with Pennsylvania tags - had just left the company's Chevy Chase store. After taking merchandise at Saks in Tysons, officers saw the individuals start toward the store's exit without paying, according to police: The FCPD says approximately $15,000 worth of merchandise has been recovered. Some may be from another retail store that reported a theft by one of the suspects. All three individuals face charges of grand larceny, larceny with intent to sell or distribute, conspiracy to commit larceny and organized retail theft. ffxnow.com


Pensacola, FL: Atmore man jailed in Fla. for Lowe's thefts
An Atmore man, accused of stealing more than $5,000 from several different Lowe's outlets in and around Pensacola, Fla., remained behind bars in the Sunshine State as this week began. According to Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office reports, 32-year-old Jared Thomas Dean of a Beck Street address apparently decided to "do it right for less." Dean simply walked out of several Lowe's stores without paying for the merchandise he took with him. He was arrested July 11 when company loss prevention specialists were finally able to identify him on video surveillance cameras after he ripped off the Lowe's store on Nine Mile Road in Pensacola. The Atmore man is charged with two felony counts of grand theft and a misdemeanor count of petit theft.  atmorenews.com


Geneva, AL: Florida man facing multiple burglary charges for thousands in Cigarette thefts

Gwinnett County, GA: Police looking for man accused of stealing 11 cell phones from T-Mobile store