Protests

BLM Protest Backs Retail Crime
Chicago, IL: Black Lives Matter Holds Rally Supporting Arrested Looters
Members of Black Lives Matter held a solidarity rally on Monday night with the more than 100 individuals who were arrested after a night of looting and unrest in Chicago. The rally was held at the South Loop police station where organizers say those individuals are currently being held in custody.

"I don't care if someone decides to loot a Gucci or a Macy's or a Nike store, because that makes sure that person eats," Ariel Atkins, a BLM organizer, said. "That makes sure that person has clothes."

Black Lives Matter Chicago organized the rally after unrest throughout the city early Monday, with police saying that more than 100 individuals were taken into custody for a variety of offenses, including looting.

"That is reparations," Atkins said. "Anything they wanted to take, they can take it because these businesses have insurance." nbcchicago.com

Chicago's Catch & Release Philosophy
ILL. States Atty Who Abandoned Retail Prosecutions Blamed by Chicago Mayor
Chicago Mayor Blames Kim Foxx, ILL. States Attorney - Handling of Cases Emboldened Looters
After looters caused mayhem on the Magnificent Mile early Monday, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and police Superintendent David Brown pointed fingers at a now-familiar target: Cook County prosecutors and judges.

Without naming State's Attorney Kim Foxx, Lightfoot called on prosecutors not to let suspects cycle through the system without consequences. And Brown went so far as to imply that looters reoffended this weekend after getting away with the same crimes during the widespread unrest earlier this year, eliminating any deterrent.

"(Suspects) get released, many charges get dropped, and so they feel emboldened to do it more," he said. "Once prosecution and sentencing comes up, there's no consequences."

But Foxx, who is no stranger to accusations that she is soft on crime, flatly rejected that narrative at a news conference Monday. Her office has not dropped any looting cases related to recent unrest, she said, calling for a response "beyond a sound bite and a finger point."

Critics said looters were additionally emboldened by a Foxx policy that raised the bar for prosecuting shoplifting as a felony - a theory Foxx also rejected Monday. chicagotribune.com

After Chicago Looting and Coronavirus, Businesses Consider Closing Shop

On Jeweler's Row, businesses saw their inventory wiped out

The looting that began late Sunday and continued into Monday morning marks the second time the city has been hit in recent months. After George Floyd was killed in May while in Minneapolis police custody, widespread unrest left Chicago's Magnificent Mile, a strip of high-end stores north of downtown that has long been a showpiece of the city, and other neighborhoods boarded up.

This weekend, caravans of looters responded to calls on social media, hitting stores in a wide swath of the city, following the shooting by police of a 20-year-old man who officers say fired on them first.

Police Superintendent David Brown on Monday said commanders deployed 400 officers to combat the looting, but said that prosecutors and the courts had failed to make their first rounds of arrests in June stick, making looters feel there were no consequences for their actions.

Kim Foxx, the Cook County State's Attorney, said in a separate briefing that her office had gone ahead with prosecutions on 90% of those charged with looting. A slowdown in the courts because of the pandemic meant many of those cases were just now coming to trial, she said.

Large chains such as Macy's and Saks Fifth Avenue say they have no plans to pull out of Chicago, despite damage to local stores. Macy's is repairing damage and expects its stores to reopen this week, a spokeswoman said.

Kimberly Bares, president and chief executive of the Magnificent Mile Association, said her 650 members, including large retailers and hotels, are looking for a stronger full-time police presence in the area as well as investments in underserved neighborhoods to address longstanding issues of inequality. "We need to act now," she said. wsj.com

No prosecution for many arrested at Portland's protests
People arrested in Portland since late May on non-violent misdemeanor charges during the protests won't be prosecuted.

The new policy announced Tuesday recognizes the outrage and frustration over a history of racial injustice that has led to the city's often violent protests and the practical realities of the court system, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt said. It is running more than two months behind in processing cases because of COVID-19.  inhomelandsecurity.com

Overnight Restrictions to Continue Downtown 'for Foreseeable Future,' Chicago Mayor Says

Chief Judge Orders Cook County Courtrooms Closed After Looting

Downtown Chicago Shop Owners Clean Up After Looting: 'This Is My Whole Life Savings'

Chicago boutique owners looted twice in three months call for help:
'We are not equipped to defend our store'

Ronald McDonald House Near Lurie Children's Hospital Was Among Looters' Targets


York County, PA: People stand with man holding 'I AM A SERIAL RETAIL THIEF' sign as part of sentence
Last week, Common Pleas Judge Harry M. Ness offered Durell Scales a sentence of two years' probation, with the first six months on house arrest, if he held the sign outside the York County Judicial Center that read, "I AM A SERIAL RETAIL THIEF. 7 PRIORS !!"

Ness had stated that he tried to come up with a resolution that would make a change in Scales' life. Scales wasn't alone for long on Tuesday. The York NAACP organized an effort to bring out people to stand in solidarity with him and call attention to what they see as an injustice. So several others soon joined him with signs of their own.

"He is a human being," said Sandra Thompson, an attorney who's president of the York NAACP, "and he is worthy of support." Thompson said it's critical to address the underlying issues that drive retail theft such as addiction. Treatment doesn't always work the first time, she said, but dehumanizing someone is not going to help. She said it's important to have restorative justice that makes a difference in peoples' lives. ydr.com

Richmond, VA: Self-identified KKK leader who drove through protesters in June gets 6 years prison

 

COVID Update

US: Over 5.3M Cases - 168K Dead - 2.7M Recovered
Worldwide: Over 20.6M Cases - 747K Dead - 13.5M Recovered

Private Industry Security Guard Deaths: 183   Law Enforcement Officer Deaths: 80
*Red indicates change in total deaths

Video Solutions
The Role of Analytics in COVID-19
How security integrators can help them establish safety through technology.

One way is by measuring elevated skin temperatures of people entering a facility using thermal cameras. (See "Taking the Temperature of Thermal Cameras") Another is by implementing video analytics to detect non-adherence to health safety practices and trigger audio reminders about distancing and other guidelines.

One useful security technology that integrators can recommend is video analytics. When applied and used correctly with directives based on real-time surveillance of people's behavior, they can create a positive encounter for people reentering social settings amidst the ongoing pandemic. sdmmag.com

OHSA reports 30,000 COVID Safety Complaints
Employers: Duty to Provide Safe Workplace Extends Beyond Four Walls
Dozens of whistleblower actions have been filed by employees complaining workplace safety procedures are inadequate. These whistleblower actions cover more than just the employer's premises; they also cover the premises of clients and vendors when an employee is sent there to perform work.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), employers have a legal obligation to ensure that their employees work under safe conditions free from hazards. The obligation to provide a safe workplace extends beyond the four walls of the employer; it extends to when an employee is meeting off-site with a client or vendor, or working off-site at a client's or vendor's facilities

These complaints include allegations that employers are not adequately protecting their employees from the virus when the employees perform work at a client's or vendor's premises. The increased reporting has been so drastic that OSHA issued a press release "reminding employers that it is illegal to retaliate against workers because they report unsafe and unhealthy working conditions during the coronavirus." jdsupra.com

COVID Impact: Changing Vacation Policies
Vacation Travel Policies May Need to Be Altered Due to Pandemic
Employer attempts to restrict where employees go on vacation to prevent their exposure to COVID-19 are limited by laws and employee-relations considerations. However, pre-travel inquiries and advisories are allowed, so long as they are applied neutrally and uniformly.

"Employers across the country are grappling with the question of whether to change their vacation policies in light of the coronavirus pandemic and, if so, how to do it," said Anthony Mingione, an attorney with Blank Rome in New York City. shrm.org

New Illinois law makes it a felony to assault a retail worker
who's enforcing face mask rules
Assaulting a worker who is enforcing face mask policies can now be prosecuted as aggravated battery in Illinois - a felony charge. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a law Friday that expands the definition of aggravated battery to include attacks against a retail worker who is conveying public health guidance, such as requiring patrons to wear face coverings or promoting social distancing.

"It's clear there is still an even greater need to get people to wear masks - especially to protect front line workers, whether they're at the front of a store asking you to put on your mask or whether they're responding to 911 calls to save those in distress," Pritzker said in a statement.

A simple battery charge is considered a misdemeanor and can result in up to a year in prison and fines up to $2,500. An aggravated battery charge, on the other hand, is a felony that can result in a sentence of up to five years in prison - or up to 10 years depending on factors such as the individual's criminal history - and fines up to $25,000. The new law is effective immediately. usatoday.com

Bars & Restaurants Drove COVID Spikes
The Nation Wanted to Eat Out Again. Everyone Has Paid the Price
Data from states and cities show that many community outbreaks of the coronavirus this summer have centered on restaurants and bars, often the largest settings to infect Americans. nytimes.com
 

World Mask Week Aims to Inspire Global Movement to Wear Face Coverings in Public

COVID-19 - Defunding Police - The Decriminalization Trend
How It'll Impact ORCA's Across America

All of the progress made over the last fifteen to twenty years is in jeopardy.

With over 32 ORC Associations across the Nation, thousands of law enforcement officers involved, and over 30 state ORC laws, all the work that's been done is taking a huge step back. With funding decimated and courts over flowing with thousands of cases the outlook is grim for virtually all of the ORCA's.

As the third quarter begins the Holiday push in just a few weeks how will the dozens of conferences be impacted?

The retailers strapped for payroll, limiting travel to necessity only, and the COVID social distancing mandate the conferences are obviously on the chopping block. As everyone immediately starts talking about next year and hoping to find the police support still there. The reality is it will diminish considerably and we'll probably take two or three steps back. If not entire efforts will disappear unless driven by absolute necessity and increased activity, we will see a number disappear regretfully. Just some thoughts. -Gus Downing

 

Employee Tip Lines
The Text Book Example

Anonymous Tip Sets Off $57.3M Investigation
Corporate-Governance Failure Questioned

McDonald's Board Faces New Scrutiny of Investigation Into Former CEO

Some shareholders question handling of Steve Easterbrook's departure, supervision of company

McDonald's board is coming under scrutiny from some investors and corporate-governance groups for failing to fully uncover the extent of former Chief Executive Officer Steve Easterbrook's inappropriate relationships with employees when concerns first emerged last year.

The fast-food giant Monday sued Mr. Easterbrook, accusing him of lying to investigators to cover up relationships with employees to protect his multimillion-dollar severance package. The suit, a rare airing of corporate dirty laundry, follows the board's decision to fire Mr. Easterbrook without cause last November after he acknowledged a consensual sexting relationship with an employee.

Outside counsel conducted an investigation into Mr. Easterbrook last fall and shared results with the board, which accepted Mr. Easterbrook's word that it was his only relationship with a McDonald's employee, according to the complaint. Because the board fired the CEO without cause, he was able to walk away from the company with a severance package valued at tens of millions of dollars.

McDonald's now says that Mr. Easterbrook allegedly engaged in sexual relationships with three additional employees in the year before his firing, relationships that it says came to light in a wider review of Mr. Easterbrook's texts and emails after McDonald's received an anonymous tip in July. The company now says he should have been fired for cause, and it is suing to reclaim his severance, now estimated to be worth $57.3 million.

Some investors and corporate-governance groups say the board must now defend its initial investigation and stewardship of the company to shareholders.

After learning of the July complaint from an employee, the board immediately called for a new investigation, according to a person familiar with the matter. The board also advised management to further highlight ways for employees to report company concerns.

The allegation of further relationships "calls into question the vibrancy of the first investigation," said Charles Elson, a corporate-governance professor at the University of Delaware.

Outside counsel working for McDonald's last fall reviewed backup data for Mr. Easterbrook's company-issued phone and iPad but found no evidence of improper relationships with other employees, according to the complaint and a person familiar with the investigation. Investigators looked thoroughly through those devices, but records of dozens of nude photos discovered later had been destroyed on that equipment, the person said.

McDonald's has long maintained hot lines for employees to report complaints. The employee who made the complaint in July did so after a town hall meeting in which executives encouraged workers to come forward with concerns, the person familiar with the matter said. McDonald's sent out a company message Monday telling employees that they wouldn't face retaliation for reporting any perceived misdeeds. wsj.com

Editor's Note: This is the biggest example of the need and use of 'employee tip lines,' that this writer has ever seen. The text book definition.

 

End of an Era?
Retail Chains Abandon Manhattan: 'It's Unsustainable'
Some national chains, both retail and restaurants, are closing outlets in New York City, which are struggling more than their branches elsewhere.

The economic damage in New York has in many cases been far worse than elsewhere in the country.

In the heart of Manhattan, national chains including J.C. Penney, Kate Spade, Subway and Le Pain Quotidien have shuttered branches for good. Many other large brands, like Victoria's Secret and the Gap, have kept their high-profile locations closed in Manhattan, while reopening in other states.

Even as the city has contained the virus and slowly reopens, there are ominous signs that some national brands are starting to abandon New York. The city is home to many flagship stores, chains and high-profile restaurants that tolerated astronomical rents and other costs because of New York's global cachet and the reliable onslaught of tourists and commuters.

But New York today looks nothing like it did just a few months ago.

In Manhattan's major retail corridors, from SoHo to Fifth Avenue to Madison Avenue, once packed sidewalks are now nearly empty. A fraction of the usual army of office workers goes into work every day, and many wealthy residents have left the city for second homes.

Landlords have started filing lawsuits against commercial tenants for not paying rent, accusing some national brands of trying to take advantage of the crisis.

"In New York City, there is next to no lunch business," he said. "No one's coming in from Connecticut. No one's coming in from New Jersey." And, there are no tourists wandering the streets. nytimes.com

Update: Charging Alarm Companies for False Alarms
Alarm industry seeks another hearing before appeals court in Sandy Springs, Ga., case

Amazon Planning Multiple D.C.-Area Grocery Stores

Stein Mart files for bankruptcy with plans to liquidate its stores
 

Canada's Next Retail Victims?
HBC, Canadian Tire could be in trouble next during pandemic: retail expert
The Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) and Canadian Tire could be the next retailers to run into trouble during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to one expert who says the companies have failed to adapt to consumers' evolving shopping habits even before the crisis began. ctvnews.ca

Pandemic's Retail Impact: Canadian Fashion Industry Hit Hard by COVID-19

Canadian Retail & Food Services Sales in May Show Some Recovery

Landlords Need to Rethink Retail Properties and Tenant Relationships