FaceFirst announces Headquarters Move to Texas

FaceFirst will move its corporate headquarters from Los Angeles, CA to Austin, TX, joining a growing list of companies choosing to settle into the Lone Star State.

August 18, 2021 -- FaceFirst is excited to announce it will relocate from its current headquarters in Los Angeles, CA to Austin, TX. The software company joins a growing list of companies choosing Texas as the best location for their corporate headquarters. The new office space is in the Domain, formally the IBM headquarters and home to many other emerging technology companies who are choosing to make Austin its home base.

"Austin is a hot new tech hub and as our business evolves, we want to be closely engaged with other emerging technology partners. Texas is centrally located for our customers, but it also is a fast-growing city known for its lifestyle benefits and therefore we hope it serves as a great recruitment opportunity," said CEO Dan Merkle. "The COVID-19 pandemic influenced how and where we work. We have become far more flexible in how we engage with our employees, partners, and customers. Locating in Austin helps that approach.

Dara Riordan, Chief Operating Officer at FaceFirst, said "In addition to the pandemic creating a remote business operation overnight, it gave us pause to look at the cost of our business and the operational limitations in California. Austin is an emerging and vibrant city that is quickly becoming an epicenter in this country for technology and business and we are thrilled to be part of it."   Read more here
 

The U.S. Crime Surge
The Retail Impact

Shoplifting Syndicates Cost Retailers Billions Per Year
Industry insiders blame ease of online reselling for thriving retail crime rings

Retailers are voicing concerns that e-commerce has prompted a spike in professional shoplifters boosting high-value items to sell online.

That's just one snapshot of a crime wave that's been building for years. Back in 2011, the FBI posited that "organized retail crime" was a $30 billion industry. And industry operators say the problem has only grown since then. A 2020 survey from the National Retail Federation found that organized retail theft has seen a nearly 60% increase from 2015, now averaging $719,548 for every $1 billion in sales.

Retailers are now sounding the alarm on spiking theft statistics and the role of e-commerce platforms as "fences." Traditionally, fences have taken the form of pawn shops or flea markets, but the rise of online shopping has turned this on its head. Brick-and-mortar retailers complaining that thieves are increasingly hawking pilfered products online, but e-commerce platforms argue that regulating sites will just stifle competition.

Retail companies have implemented a number of initiatives to combat these targeted thefts. Recently, Home Depot released power tools that won't work unless they're properly scanned and activated at the register via Bluetooth technology. The retailer is also looking to continue to introduce technology to combat theft, rather than locking up products. Stores have experimented with lockable cart wheels that freeze up if a person shoves a cartload of goods outside without paying. Others resort to controversial facial recognition tools, often in addition to other security measures, to assist in identifying thieves.

Jason Brewer, the spokesperson for the Buy Safe America Coalition, a lobby group for the retail industry, spoke with Insider about the efficient, intricate shadow businesses of professional shoplifters.

"This is a professional criminal," Brewer said. "They're not looking to steal food for dinner, or something they need because they can't afford it. They are stealing specific items that they know they can resell online."

"The leaders don't really care what happens to the runners," Scott Glenn, Home Depot's vice president of asset protection, told Insider. "They're just paying them a hundred bucks a day, but the runners will bring back thousands of dollars worth of product that then gets resold for profit."

But despite their ubiquity, Glenn said it is important not to underestimate shoplifting groups. He said that they can be helmed by "good administrators" and function somewhat akin to shadow businesses. Glenn said that in some cases, these professional shoplifters will steal "right up to that felony threshold" without ever crossing the line.

"They know that nothing's going to happen if it doesn't pass that certain level," Glenn said. "They'll steal up to that amount and they'll go to the next door and they'll steal up to that amount."

Brewer and Glenn said the proliferation of e-commerce has also led to a boom in criminals fencing stolen goods online. Glenn said that not all online sales platforms "have the same level of control and vetting" when it comes to merchants, while Brewer said that no online platform is currently doing enough to combat crime. businessinsider.com

Mob-Like ORC Criminals Pose Growing Threat to Shoppers
ORC crackdown is needed before shopper safety is put at risk

Without a crackdown from lawmakers, the security of shoppers could be in peril.

Businesses and law enforcement, both in New Mexico and across the nation, are now battling a new epidemic: organized retail crime.

Today, groups of professional thieves are stealing mass quantities of merchandise from retailers and selling the items to consumers, particularly on e-commerce platforms. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle - at the state and local levels - can no longer afford to turn a blind eye to it.

It's important to recognize that organized retail crime rings aren't made up of neighborhood shoplifters or teenage delinquents - these are violent, skilled thieves who seek profit and profit alone. It also shouldn't come as a shock that they can be tied back to other reprehensible schemes such as human trafficking, narcotics, and gang activity.

Organized retail crime has worsened over the years as online marketplaces became easy, anonymous platforms for criminals to fence mass quantities of stolen merchandise. Just as alarming, these thieves have become more brazen and violent in their schemes, putting retail employees and innocent customers at risk when they carry mace, knives, and guns into stores to assist in the commission of their crimes.

There is an urgent need to address this growing problem - we need better resources and smarter laws on our books to protect communities and shut down these criminal networks plaguing local storefronts.

Federal lawmakers have recognized the need for swift action. The INFORM Consumers Act, which sits in both the US House and the Senate, is the most comprehensive piece of federal legislation targeting the sale of stolen goods online. It requires e-commerce websites to verify basic information from third-party sellers, such as a government-issued ID and necessary business contact information.

The legislation will provide online shoppers the transparency they deserve before making an online purchase, while also helping legitimate businesses - a win for all except those looking to profit from stolen goods. A national measure such as the INFORM Consumers Act will support the efforts of law enforcement officials across our state, giving them an additional tool to better track and take down dangerous retail theft rings. markets.businessinsider.com

Gang Violence Drives Rise in Murder Rates in Some U.S. Cities

Summer brings an unusual crime pattern; some police say pandemic closures of anti-violence programs are a factor

Gang shootings are driving an increase in homicides this year in Los Angeles while robberies and burglaries are dropping, an unusual crime pattern reflected in a number of cities across the country.

From the start of the year through the first week in August, Los Angeles had 232 homicides, a 22% increase over last year. About 58% of those were gang homicides, a 28% increase over last year, according to police officials.

Deputy Chief Kris Pitcher said pandemic-related shutdowns of city-sponsored and other efforts to stop retaliatory shootings between gang members were a big factor in the rise.

Nationwide, homicides rose 21% in 66 of the country's largest cities during the first half of the year, according to the Major Cities Chiefs Association.

The reasons for the rise nationwide have been fiercely debated and not well studied. Find out what they're saying. Continue Reading

Replacing PD With 'Department of Public Safety' Goes to Voters
One year later this is the end result & the only one in the nation.

Minneapolis City Council Sends Replacing PD Ballot to Voters in Nov.
While the Mayor vetoed the ballot wording twice City Council was able to over-ride his veto on third attempt late Friday.

The proposal to replace the Minneapolis Police Department with a new public safety agency has become a central issue in the November election, and the precise wording that appears on the ballot could have implications for its chances of passing or failing. National and local groups are donating to political committees seeking to sway voters. The vote will play a large role in determining how Minneapolis seeks to transform public safety in the wake of George Floyd's murder by a police officer.

The proposal would remove the requirement for Minneapolis to keep a department with a minimum number of officers based on population. The city would then be required to create a new agency responsible for "integrating" public safety functions "into a comprehensive public health approach to safety."

The proposal also would strike language from the charter that gives the mayor "complete power" over police operations, a move that likely would grant council members more sway over officers. Frey, the mayor, and the council would decide how to design the new department and whether - and how - to employ police.

What the ballot says now

Shall the Minneapolis City Charter be amended to strike and replace the Police Department with a Department of Public Safety which could include licensed peace officers (police officers) if necessary, with administrative authority to be consistent with other city departments to fulfill its responsibilities for public safety? startribune.com

Security Measures Ramped Up This Week in Minneapolis
Security fence to return to Minnesota State Capitol this week

Public safety agency cites anticipated events that could draw "thousands."

The State Capitol will again be surrounded by a security fence next week ahead of multiple large-scale demonstrations, including one against Enbridge's Line 3 pipeline project. Bruce Gordon, a spokesman for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, said Friday that security measures will be ramped up in anticipation of multiple events planned for the Capitol grounds this week, "

Gordon added that there will be an increased security presence at the complex this week "to facilitate safe events."

The Minnesota Department of Administration's public events calendar for next week lists a Tuesday "Rights of Mahnomin" event, a "Firelight Camp Walk to the Capitol" on Wednesday, a Thursday "Rights of Nature" ceremony and multiple rallies on Aug. 28, including a "Medical Freedom" event and a "March for Voting Rights." startribune.com

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Atlanta hits 100 homicides for 2021, ahead of last year's pace
 

COVID Update

362.6M Vaccinations Given

US: 38.5M Cases - 645K Dead - 30.4M Recovered
Worldwide: 212.7M Cases - 4.4M Dead - 190.3M Recovered

Former Senior Loss Prevention Executive
Know of any fallen LP exec? Let's remember & recognize.

Private Industry Security Guard Deaths: 304   Law Enforcement Officer Deaths: 348
*Red indicates change in total deaths

Security Officer COVID Deaths Surge
Sixteen security officers die in recent Covid19 spike
As of today, sixteen more security officers have passed away from COVID19 complications during the past ninety days. Included in those deaths were employees of TSA, Covenant Security and a Washington DC group home.

The most recent was Keith Baily, 61, who spent twenty-three years in the Marines and was the father of two children. He loved to work out, participated in local sporting events, and had been married for almost
forty years.

Security officers are frequently in contact with many people, in a wide array of environments during their shift. It is extremely important that all officers wear complete PPE, be vaccinated, and take all precautions possible to avoid being infected with this virus. privateofficerbreakingnews.blogspot.com

Delta variant likely to bring a fall and winter of masks, vaccine mandates, anxiety
The rise of the Delta variant has upended previous optimistic projections of herd immunity and a return to normal life, with many health experts believing mask mandates and tougher vaccine requirements will be needed in the coming months to avoid more serious coronavirus surges.

The rapid spread of Delta among the unvaccinated - and the still relatively small number of "breakthrough" cases among the vaccinated - shows that significant increases in inoculations will help stop the spread. In fact, officials are now preparing to provide booster shots to those who already got their first series of vaccinations, saying the extra dose is needed to keep people protected. latimes.com

'Cascade' of Vaccine Mandates on the Way
The F.D.A. grants full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine
The Food and Drug Administration on Monday granted full approval to Pfizer-BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine for people 16 and up, making it the first to move beyond emergency use status in the United States.

The decision will set off a cascade of vaccine requirements by hospitals, colleges, corporations and other organizations. United Airlines recently announced that its employees will be required to show proof of vaccination within five weeks of regulatory approval.

Oregon has adopted a similar requirement for all state workers, as have a host of universities in states from Louisiana to Minnesota. The Pentagon has said it would mandate the shots for the country's 1.3 million active-duty troops once the Pfizer approval came through.

The approval comes as the nation's fight against the pandemic has intensified again, with the highly infectious Delta variant reversing much of the progress that the country had made over the first half of the year. The Biden administration hopes the development will motivate at least some of the roughly 85 million unvaccinated Americans who are eligible for shots to get them. nytimes.com

Mandating Booster Shots?
Rollout of Booster Shots to Begin in September
As more employers consider making COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory, they'll need to decide if they will also mandate booster shots.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and leading government health officials announced Aug. 18 that people who received the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are advised to get a booster shot to improve their immunity to COVID-19. The booster shots should be received eight months after individuals got their second vaccine and are scheduled to become available in September.

The booster-shot plan for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines would go into effect from the week of Sept. 20, subject to the FDA conducting an independent evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of a third dose. The U.S. goal is to administer 100 million booster shots in the coming months. shrm.org

Retailers announce plans to administer COVID-19 vaccine boosters
CVS Health, Walgreens and Publix are among the retailers that announced plans to administer booster shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. drugstorenews.com

As delta variant spreads, some companies with vaccine mandates deploy tech to verify records

Eager to bring back their employees, companies are wrestling with how best to verify vaccination status

Some companies are relying on apps that store health records but require humans to verify the details. Others are turning to software tools that provide other offerings, such as image recognition, contact tracing and the management of employee health records. Some tech companies are still simply asking employees to provide accurate information rather than wrestling with the messy world of disjointed health records and privacy laws.

Software tools offer companies various vaccine passports and verifier services to aid with verification. "Having a fully vaccinated office is the safest way to have an open office," said Kristen Hayward, head of people at Superhuman.

"Now CEOs of Fortune 500s are drawing a line in the sand and saying, 'This is our protocol,'" Jason Story, ReturnSafe's co-founder, said about vaccine mandates and testing. "It starts to get complex and unwieldy for HR to run the business." washingtonpost.com

CA's 4th Surge Maybe Flattening But Fall & Winter Bring Challenges
In Los Angeles, This Covid-19 Surge Is Different From Earlier Outbreaks
Center of pandemic in region has moved from poor, crowded neighborhoods to affluent ones with younger populations

Across Los Angeles County, cities and neighborhoods including West Hollywood, Venice and Santa Monica now report some of the most infections, even though their vaccination rates are higher than in poorer areas such as East Los Angeles, where Covid-19 raced through families and neighborhoods during earlier surges, county health data shows.

The shift is a consequence of the Delta variant, which spreads more easily among people who gather indoors in such places as bars, clubs and restaurants and can affect people who are vaccinated, according to doctors.

The newest surge of infections has public-health officials renewing calls for caution, regardless of vaccination status, as more people return to pre-pandemic activities. Though the fully vaccinated are far less likely to suffer serious illness or be hospitalized, according to hospitalization data from around the country, health officials in Los Angeles are now directing everyone to wear masks indoors and return to other precautions, including social distancing when possible.

While there are promising signs that California's fourth COVID-19 surge may be starting to flatten, the fall and winter will bring new challenges as people stay indoors more often and vaccine immunity begins to wane. latimes.com

Florida's 'Stark Warning'
Orlando urges residents to conserve water because of surge in covid hospitalizations
Liquid oxygen, used in hospitals and water treatment, is in short supply as more critically ill patients need respiratory therapy.

The city's announcement highlights the far-reaching consequences of the spike in hospitalizations being driven by the fast-moving delta variant, which is sickening tens of thousands of people daily in Florida alone. It presents a stark warning to other communities around the country where infections have strained health-care systems and caused shortages of medical supplies not seen since the worst waves of the pandemic. washingtonpost.com

DOJ: Pharmacist Arrested for Selling COVID Vaccination Cards Online
A licensed pharmacist was arrested last Tuesday in Chicago on charges related to his alleged sale of dozens of authentic Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 vaccination cards on eBay.

According to court documents, in March and April 2021, Tangtang Zhao, 34, of Chicago, sold 125 authentic CDC vaccination cards to 11 different buyers for approximately $10 per card. Zhao was a licensed pharmacist in Illinois and was employed at Company 1, a pharmacy which distributed and administered COVID-19 vaccines at its physical locations nationwide.

Zhao is charged by indictment with 12 counts of theft of government property. If convicted, he faces a sentence of 10 years in prison per count. justice.gov

OpenTable enlists Clear to verify vaccination status at restaurants

Dallas County reports most daily COVID cases since January & most deaths since May

Pandemic never been worse in Mississippi, doctor says as 20K students quarantined

Alabama's ICU's Have No Empty Beds

 

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Food prices are about to make the largest jump in history
Due to COVID, global supply and demand for almost everything is completely distorted.

Everything is costing more, including food. And the worst is yet to come, especially with the Delta variant on the rise. By December, the average household will have to pay 5% more for their groceries, or about $700 over the course of a year. In dollars, this is the largest increase in history. But it could be even higher in 2022.

Demand is very strong for several products, including food. There is even pent-up demand that puts enormous strain on supply chains. Every sector is fighting to get more cargo space. Some economies are recovering much faster than others, which makes predictability of logistics a nightmare right now. Sanitary measures everywhere are causing the chain to operate a little more slowly, while costs increase.

The maritime transport industry has been one of the sectors most affected by the pandemic, and this will have long-term consequences. Freight rates have increased by more than 200% on average over the past year.

The food chain is trying to be kind to consumers by absorbing some of the costs caused by expensive transportation. But by fall or winter 2022, retailers and restaurateurs will have no choice but to adjust their prices -- upwards, of course. canadiangrocer.com

First Payment Network to Phase Out Magnetic Strips
Mastercard is getting rid of its credit cards' magnetic stripes by 2029
Cards equipped with chips will become the new standard. The chip is more secure compared to a magnetic stripe because it creates a unique transaction code, which is verified by the bank.

According to Mastercard (MA), EMV is currently used for 86% of face-to-face card transactions globally. The technology lags in the United States, with just 73% of transactions using chips

"It's time to fully embrace these best-in-class capabilities, which ensure consumers can pay simply, swiftly and with peace of mind," said Ajay Bhalla, president of Mastercard's Cyber & Intelligence business, in a statement. cnn.com

Target to add 100-plus new Disney Store locations by the end of 2021

BJ's Invests $8M in Employee Bonuses

The labor shortage has created a 'bidding war' for restaurant staff


Quarterly Results
The Buckle Q2 online sales down 5.5%, net sales up 36.6%
 

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Senior LP & AP Jobs Market

Safety & Loss Prevention Associate Director job posted for Goodwill Industries of Southern Arizona in Tucson, AZ
The Safety & Loss Prevention Associate Director (SLPAD) is responsible for leading safety and loss prevention activities while collaborating with store operations, employee services and support and other departments in an effort to prevent company loss and prevent and minimize injuries and accidents. The SLPAD demonstrates vision, collaboration, trust, respect, and effectiveness. indeed.com

Dir. of Compliance & Risk Management NF5* (RFT) Review & Analysis Overhead job posted for U.S. Marine Corps in Quantico, VA
SUMMARY OF DUTIES: Serves as a subject matter expert and direct advisor to senior leaders in the Marine Corps Community Services Division (MCCS), Quantico VA, responsible for coordinating and implementing policy, a compliance and risk management framework, directing the Asset Protection Program and managing privacy-related matters for MCCS directed programs and support services. usajobs.gov
 

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