In Case You Missed It



Most Mid-Year Robberies & Burglaries Ever Reported




Click here to see the full report


Sponsored by

 

Closing Stores Over Crime is a 'Last Resort', Says NRF CEO
NRF CEO Discusses Consumer Outlook, Retail Theft on Fox Business
WASHINGTON, September 28, 2023 - NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay joined host Neil Cavuto on Fox Business' "Cavuto: Coast to Coast" yesterday to discuss the state of the consumer and the unprecedented levels of theft and violence retailers are seeing in stores throughout the country.

The interview follows the release of NRF's 2023 National Retail Security Survey, which found that retailers have been forced to close a specific store location (28%), reduce operating hours (45%) or reduce or alter in-store product selection (30%) as a direct result of retail crime.

Strength of the Consumer: "Consumers have been the story of the economy over the last three years, and they have continued to power the economy forward. We are over 35 consecutive months of year-over-year retail sales growth led by consumer engagement."

Holiday Outlook: "We had a blockbuster back-to-school season, the highest on record. And that's why we think things bode well for the holiday season."

Impact of Retail Crime: "It's a financial tragedy. NRF's National Retail Security Survey came out yesterday showing $112 billion in sales losses due to theft and shrinkage, up 20% from a year prior. But the numbers are really proxies for, in many cases, the tragedies that are playing out in communities, stores and neighborhoods."

Store Closures: "Retailers have done everything imaginable. They have increased store security, adjusted their hours and tried to protect their goods. They want to protect their employees and their customers. Anything short of closing a store, a retailer wants to do in order to remain part of that community. It's a last resort."

As the leading authority and voice for the retail industry, NRF is declaring Oct. 26 Fight Retail Crime Day and is convening retailers in Washington, D.C. to advocate for passage of the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act.  foxbusiness.com


WSJ Publishes Op-Ed Amid Target Crime Closures & Philly Looting
'Rack up more victories for progressive prosecutors,' the paper wrote

The Retail Theft Rampage Gets Worse

Target closes nine stores because of crime, as looters run riot in Philadelphia.

You may have heard that a mob of teenagers looted stores in downtown Philadelphia on Tuesday night, and Target said the same day it is closing nine stores in four states because of rampant crime. Rack up more victories for progressive prosecutors.

The mobs in Philly hit Apple, Lululemon and Foot Locker stores in Center City, which ought to be a safe space for civilized commerce. The Foot Locker store was "ransacked in a coordinated attack," said police. Police have made more than 50 arrests and are investigating property damage and theft elsewhere in the city. Some 76 incidents have been reported.

Anger is justified in particular toward District Attorney Larry Krasner, who waves away property crime. His office reports 424 retail theft charges so far in 2023-compared to more than 1,500 by the same date in 2017, the year before he took office. Reports of retail theft in Philly have increased by more than 30%-to 13,330-compared to a year ago, according to the city's latest weekly crime report.

Retail theft is a nationwide epidemic, according to a National Retail Federation (NRF) survey released Tuesday. For the 2022 fiscal year, retailers reported a "shrink" rate of 1.6%, mostly from theft, which as a percentage of all retail sales would be a $112.1 billion loss for the industry, says NRF.

"We cannot continue operating these stores because theft and organized retail crime are threatening the safety of our team and guests, and contributing to unsustainable business performance," Target said in explaining its decision to close two stores in Seattle, three in Portland, Ore., three in San Francisco and Oakland, and one in New York.

George Soros and the progressive DAs he finances claim to be helping the poor and minorities, but those communities are the main victim of rampaging theft. The Target store shutting down in New York is in Harlem, which staged a renaissance during the Rudy Giuliani and Mike Bloomberg mayoralties. It is now sliding back into crime and disorder. wsj.com


In Case You Missed It
The Full List of Target's 9 Theft Closures Across 4 States

California Target closing stores

• SF Folsom and 13th St: 1690 Folsom St
• Oakland Broadway & 27th: 2650 Broadway
• Pittsburg: 4301 Century Blvd

Closing Portland Target stores

• Portland Galleria: 939 SW Morrison St.
• Portland Powell: 3031 SE Powell Blvd.
• Portland Hollywood: 4030 NE Halsey St.

New York Target store closing

• New York City: 517 E 117th Street, Harlem

Seattle Target closing stores

• Seattle University Way: 4535 University Way NE
• Seattle Ballard: 1448 NW Market St, Suite 100   axios.com


Fallout from Philadelphia's Night of Looting & Unrest
Dozens arrested as groups break into stores, vandalize businesses across Philadelphia, police say

The unrest stretched across the city, including Center City, the Northeast, and West Philadelphia.

Large groups of young people broke into numerous stores across Philadelphia Tuesday night, stealing merchandise and vandalizing property, Acting Police Commissioner John Stanford said.

By midnight, police had arrested more than 20 people, a few of them juveniles, Stanford said, and at least two guns were recovered. The unrest stretched across the city, including Center City, the Northeast, and West Philadelphia, with business corridors along Aramingo Avenue and Walnut Street targeted through the night.

On Wednesday morning, a spokesperson for the District Attorney's Office said at least 30 people, including three juveniles, were being charged so far, most with burglary and theft. One person has been charged with illegal gun possession, she said. Fine Wine & Good Spirits said all of its stores would close until further notice after 18 locations were burglarized overnight.

Initial reports of break-ins near Rittenhouse Square began just after 8 p.m., shortly after protesters had dispersed from a peaceful gathering at City Hall, where marchers called for justice for Eddie Irizarry, who was shot and killed by a Philadelphia Police officer last month. Earlier Tuesday, a judge dismissed all charges against the officer who killed him, setting off a wave of outrage in the community.

Stanford was quick to make clear that Irizarry's supporters had nothing to do with Tuesday night's unrest. He called the young people who looted "criminal opportunists" who were not affiliated with the earlier gathering. inquirer.com


Philadelphia, PA: Update: At least 52 arrested after crowds ransack stores across Philadelphia
Philadelphia police announced Wednesday that 52 people have been arrested after a large group of looters ransacked various businesses in the bustling Center City neighborhood on Tuesday night. In the most recent update, police say 49 adults and 3 juveniles have been arrested. The counts filed include burglary and theft, among others, according to Jane Roh, spokesperson for the Philadelphia district attorney's office. Philadelphia Police say the crime spree began around 7:30 p.m. when officers received numerous 911 calls and reports of a looting happening at the Foot Locker on 1500 Chestnut Street. Minutes later, police received another call for a looting at the Apple Store on 1600 Walnut Street. No arrests were made but numerous stolen items have since been recovered, police said. Social media video showed some of the suspects smashing phones and tablets on the ground after realizing that they had been automatically disabled and alarms were going off.  fox59.com


   Related Philadelphia Crime Coverage

   Philadelphia PD Crime Stats: Retail Theft YTD Up 32.78% over 2022

   Rite Aid closed 22 Philly stores in past year. Amid bankruptcy, more may shutter.

   Philly Mayor vetoing bill that prohibits supervised injection sites in most of the city


Burglaries Up 38%, Robberies Up 33% Amid Oakland's Crime Emergency
Oakland business owners call for state of emergency on crime amid symbolic strike

Burglaries spiked by 38% and robberies by 33% over last year

Business owners who declared a "strike" in protest of the city's spiking crime rates ultimately closed their storefronts for just two hours Tuesday, but it was enough time to get their point across: Oakland's rise in robberies and burglaries is intolerable.

The public demonstration - while mostly symbolic - allowed restaurant and store owners to join local business leaders in calling for the mayor to declare a state of emergency. Doing so, they say, could help Oakland secure more funding from the state and federal government for additional law enforcement and provide direct cash payments to businesses that have taken financial hits from thefts and robberies.

As of Sunday, burglaries in Oakland had spiked by 38% and robberies by 33% in 2023 from the same period last year, according to data provided by the Oakland Police Department. Even more strikingly, police data show local burglaries were up nearly 87% from the year-to-date total in 2021, a year notorious for its explosion in pandemic-era violent crime.

Some leaders of the city's chambers of commerce have come to double as anti-crime advocates, with Chinatown community leader Carl Chan heading up the recall efforts against notably progressive Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price, who critics say has been too soft in prosecuting crime.

Political tensions around crime grew even more tense earlier this month after the city's leaders failed to apply in time for a state grant that sent millions of dollars to boost crime-fighting efforts in several Bay Area cities. mercurynews.com


Self-Checkout Pushback Grows Amid Theft Concerns
ShopRite Brings Back Full-Service Checkout After Self-Checkout Plan Backfires
Some states are pushing back against automating the front-end of supermarkets. Earlier this year, Rhode Island introduced new legislation that limits the number of self-checkouts in the state's grocery stores. Under the proposed bill, grocers would not be allowed to have more than eight self-service checkout stations operating at any one time per location. Among other measures, the proposed legislation would require grocers give customers a 10% discount for checking out their own groceries.

Meanwhile, Sparkle Markets, a locally-owned and operated chain that runs 19 stores in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, is steadfast in its commitment to the traditional checkout experience. The retailer's President Vincent Furrie, Jr. indicated it will not add self-checkout, saying, "Employing our neighbors not only benefits the company, but it also benefits our communities. In times like this, jobs are more important than ever. We value the person at the register - we hope you do as well. Helping one another just cannot be replaced."

Other grocers are rethinking their self-checkout strategy due to shrinkage concerns surrounding the increase in retail theft. progressivegrocer.com


Progressive Cook County State's Attorney Gets Grilled Over 'Pro-Crime' Policies
Democrats blast House Republicans for planned forum on Chicago crime instead of working to avert a government shutdown

Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee blame violent crime in Chicago on Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx at a Tuesday forum at the city's Fraternal Order of Police office.

Republican members of the committee plan to blame Chicago's violent crime on Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx and what they say are her "pro-crime and anti-victim policies" at the forum Tuesday at the city's Fraternal Order of Police office on the Near West Side, according to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan's office.

Jordan went on social media Monday to criticize Chicago's handling of violent crime, writing on the platform X that a string of armed robberies in Chicago is "what happens when Democrats run your city." In another post, he wrote, "30 shot. 3 killed. One weekend. Democrat-run Chicago."

Foxx - who is not seeking reelection - told the Sun-Times Jordan is coming to Chicago rather than fulfilling his obligations to his constituents as the nation is on the verge of a "Republican sponsored government shutdown." She also took aim at Chicago FOP President John Catanzara, who last year apologized for comments he initially made in defense of Jan. 6 insurrectionists.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the spotlight on Chicago shows that Republicans are more focused on "fearmongering and lies instead of doing the very basic function of the jobs they were elected to do - keep the government running." chicago.suntimes.com

   RELATED: Chicago turning into 'Gotham City,' witness tells U.S. House committee


Organized retail theft low in Houston, but officials say regular theft a problem

Mass shootings in California have increased since 2020

Riverside, IL: What's behind the increase in takeover and smash-and-grab crimes?

Safety Concerns & Workplace Conditions Trigger CVS Walkout
CVS apologizes amid claims of unsafe workplace; pharmacists plan a second walkout today
Less than a week after a walkout disrupted the nation's largest retail pharmacy chain - and after a flurry of memos, meetings and a written apology from a company president - CVS pharmacists plan another walkout today over working conditions they say imperil patient safety.

After shuttering as many as 22 stores in the Kansas City area last week, organizers had planned a repeat this week and asked other pharmacists across the nation to join them.

Prem Shah, CVS' chief pharmacy officer and president of pharmacy and consumer wellness, issued a memo to Kansas City staff apologizing for failing to address their concerns sooner and promising a series of measures to alleviate their concerns.

Those steps included providing "additional resources" to stores, adjusting appointments, filling open positions and removing unnecessary tasks for pharmacists. The memo, and an earlier one distributed to staffers, did not identify some of the specific requests made by the Kansas City pharmacists, who had asked for limits on the number of vaccines and scheduling changes, among other things.

It's unclear how many CVS pharmacies will be affected by today's anticipated walkout, either in Kansas City or elsewhere. The chain operates more than 9,000 locations nationwide.

The pharmacists' walkout, and the corporation's swift response, have brought fresh attention to years of alarms over pharmacist staffing and safety.

In national and state surveys, retail pharmacists working for large chains including CVS and Walgreens have complained that low staffing levels, combined with the rising pressure of corporate performance metrics, push a dwindling number of workers to handle an ever-increasing number of prescriptions, vaccinations and other tasks daily. yahoo.com


In Memoriam
Former LP Associate Jennifer Ann Czech Passes Away at Age 53
Jennifer Ann Czech, 53, of Rutherford, passed away Thursday, September 14, 2023. Born in Passaic, Jennifer was raised in Clifton and has resided in Rutherford for the last 18 years. She was a graduate of Clifton High School and then earned her Bachelors degree and Masters in Business Administration from Montclair State University. Since 2005 Jennifer was employed with the Hudson Group in East Rutherford, most recently as a Director, Business Analysis. Previous employment for eleven years was with Toys R Us in the Loss Prevention department. bizubquinlan.com


As US consumers slow down, Walmart is muscling out its competition
The retail giant is embracing strategies previously mastered by Target, Amazon and others, and that's paying off, various analysts report.

Wawa to open 40 stores in Kentucky, starting in mid-2025

What's Driving Halloween's Momentum as a Shopping Holiday?

37% of CISOs Report Flat or Declining Cybersecurity Budgets
Cybersecurity Budget Increases Fall to 6% in Current Cycle: Weekly Stat

"In the latter part of Q4 2022 and throughout 2023, many CISOs reported difficulty getting the resources they needed, with some indicating outright budget freezes," said Nick Kakolowski of IANS.

A new survey of 550 chief information security officers (CISOs) found that cybersecurity budgets in the 2022-2023 cycle on average increased only 6%, after double-digit increases (16% and 17%) in the two prior budget periods.

At 37% of companies, CISOs reported flat or declining cybersecurity budgets, according to IANS Research, a cybersecurity consulting firm.

"In the latter part of Q4 2022 and throughout 2023, many CISOs reported difficulty getting the resources they needed, with some indicating outright budget freezes," said Nick Kakolowski, senior research director of IANS.

Macroeconomic conditions were the main factor contributing to the conservative budget increases in 2023, Kakolowski told CFO. However, "developments like the SEC breach disclosure rules indicate a growing awareness of the links between cyber risk and financial risk ... so security will probably continue to be somewhat sheltered from extreme changes due to market conditions," he said.

The good news for CISOs battling growing system intrusion attempts is that cybersecurity budget as a share of total IT budget - a key metric for external benchmarking - grew in 2022-2023. Security's portion rose to 11.4% of total IT planned spend, up from 9.9% in the 2021-2022 cycle. cfo.com
 

Cybersecurity Public Awareness Campaign
CISA launches campaign to teach Americans to be safe online

The program is starting with a new commercial that will encourage viewers to adopt basic cyber hygiene.

Anew public awareness campaign from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency attempts to do the seemingly impossible: get Americans to change their habits and stay safer online.

A 60-second PSA rolled out on Tuesday aims to get the message out that Americans need to adopt basic cybersecurity habits and will begin airing around the country tomorrow.

The first-of-its kind PSA is part of what CISA is calling its Cybersecurity Awareness Program, a new umbrella program that will house the agency's public cybersecurity campaigns.

"It's critical that everyone of us take responsibility for keeping ourselves safe online," CISA Director Jen Easterly said at the launch of the program. "That's why I am so excited about this public awareness campaign."

Amid a rash of high-profile cyberattacks, many of which have been enabled by run-of-the-mill phishing campaigns, Biden administration officials have sought to make structural reforms to U.S. cybersecurity policy, but broadly influencing public attitudes and behavior represents a major undertaking, one that is unlikely to deliver major dividends in the short term. cyberscoop.com


Tricking Outlook Users Into Believing Phishing Emails
Hackers Trick Outlook Into Showing Fake AV Scans
Threat actors are employing an existing technique of zero-point font obfuscation in a new way to fool Microsoft Outlook users into believing phishing emails have successfully been vetted by antivirus scans.

The technique could improve the likelihood that phishing emails will slip past not only security protections, but also trick recipients into falling for scams.

Attackers have long embedded text with zero font size in phishing emails to break up text written in a normal, visible way to make it harder for automated email scanning systems like the one used by Outlook to detect suspicious messages. However, the ZeroFont technique observed by Kopriva had an altogether different intent.

"It wasn't intended to hinder automated scanners from identifying the message as potentially fraudulent/malicious, but instead to make the message appear more trustworthy to the recipient," he wrote in his post. darkreading.com


Why more security doesn't mean more effective compliance

Is your identity safe? Exploring the gaps in threat protection

Officials gather to discuss how to fight organized retail crime in Minnesota
Minneapolis-based Target announced on Tuesday that it will close a handful of stores across four states due to crime. Nine stores in California, New York, Oregon and Washington are shutting down next month "because theft and organized retail crime are threatening the safety of our team and guests," according to a statement from the company. None of the closings are in Minnesota. However, there is a new law in Minnesota aimed directly at cutting down on this kind of crime. Governor Walz just signed that law into effect in August. The MN Organized Retail Crime Association (MNORCA) President Cody Johnson says it separates simple shoplifting from organized retail crime, meaning when thieves re-sell what they steal. It gives prosecutors the ability to aggregate the total value of stolen goods over a given time and defines the crime as involving two people. Criminals then face stiffer charges instead of misdemeanors, and in some cases, could be sentenced up to 15 years in prison. "It's extremely important and it's kind of to protect this house," said Johnson. "We're protecting Minnesota and saying no more." On Wednesday, MNORCA held it's first statewide conference since the new law went into effect. "It's a chance to educate the retailers, the law enforcement, the attorneys that are in attendance on how to use this law and use it effectively right from the get go," Johnson said.  kare11.com


Visalia, CA: 2 arrested after theft spree at Lowe's and Home Depot
Two men were arrested after allegedly going on a grand theft spree at Lowe's and Home Depot, costing thousands of dollars in loss to both stores, the Visalia Police Department said on Tuesday. On Thursday, The Visalia Police Department Property Crimes Unit said they were contacted by Lowe's Loss Prevention on South Mooney Boulevard regarding a theft in progress. Upon arrival, detectives say they contacted 45-year-old Oscar Huerta. Huerta had left the store with over $2,500 in stolen property. During the investigation, detectives found that Huerta had planned the theft with 38-year-old Jesus Gonzalez. Detectives say they attempted to stop Gonzalez in the Lowe's parking lot, but he fled in a vehicle. The two suspects had also committed two additional thefts at the Lowe's located on North Demaree Street in Visalia and in the City of Hanford. Over $10,000 of stolen property was recovered. According to police, Huerta was booked on Grand Theft and Conspiracy to commit grand Theft, During a follow-up investigation, detectives say they found that Gonzalez had been involved in several retail thefts of Lowe's and Home Depot stores throughout central and northern California. Tuesday, Property Crimes Detectives and Officers from the Special Enforcement Unit say they found Gonzalez in the City of Hanford and he was taken into custody. According to police, a search warrant was conducted at a home in the City of Lemoore by the Visalia Police Department Property Crimes Detectives, Special Enforcement Unit Officers, Narcotic Detectives, and the Lemoore Police Department, and they found additional stolen property from Lowe's and Home Depot. The stolen property recovered is valued at over $5,000.  yourcentralvalley.com


Lakewood, MO: 3 arrested in baby formula theft investigation covering several counties in the Ozarks
Authorities arrested three suspects accused in a multi-county baby formula theft investigation. The Dade County Sheriff's Office obtained security video from a Lockwood store showing two women shoving cans of formula down one of their dresses. The store owner says they swiped 52 cans of formula worth more than $1,500. Investigators say the thefts spread from Sarcoxie to Lockwood to Ash Grove to Winona. After the retailers reported the thefts, police in Van Buren, Mo., located them. Investigators said when officers tried to pull the driver over, people inside the van began throwing cans of formula at the patrol car. The officers eventually arrested them. Two of the three suspects face theft charges in the case.  ky3.com


Colton, CA: Three suspects are arrested for allegedly stealing $12,000 worth of merchandise in Colton
Three suspects were arrested for allegedly stealing more than $12,000 worth of merchandise from a store in Colton, according to the Colton Police Department. On Sept. 24 at about 8:23 p.m., officers were dispatched to the WSS located at 1125 N. Mt. Vernon Avenue regarding a theft. With the assistance of officers from the San Bernardino Police Department, Colton officers were able to locate and detain the three subjects, who were later placed under arrest for various charges.  fontanaheraldnews.com


Two charged in connection to $7k brazen Fillmore Street mass organized retail theft
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced Wednesday that San Francisco resident Shaka Jinks, 24, and San Mateo resident Breanna Jones, 18, have been charged in connection to a commercial burglary on the 2000 block of Fillmore Street. Jinks and Jones were arraigned on Sept. 27 and Sept. 26, respectively. San Francisco Police officers arrested Jinks and Jones with two juvenile accomplices shortly after a reported burglary on Sept. 21. According to the San Francisco Police, officers recovered $7,290 in stolen merchandise.  kron4.com


San Mateo, CA: San Mateo's Swift Justice: Macy's Thief Arrested with Help of Police and Loss Prevention
In the wake of a theft at Macy's in San Mateo, California, the quick response and cooperation between local law enforcement and the store's Loss Prevention agents led to the swift arrest of Antonio Aguilar Barrios, a 26-year-old resident of San Mateo. The robbery occurred yesterday, at 7:34 p.m., when Barrios is alleged to have stolen hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise from Macy's, located at the Hillsdale Shopping Center, without making any attempt to pay for the items. According to the San Mateo Police Department, upon leaving the store, Barrios was confronted by a Loss Prevention agent, whom he threatened with a stun gun before fleeing the scene. In response to the report of the robbery, multiple officers searched the area and located a suspect matching Barrios' description within minutes of the crime. A witness confirmed that Barrios was the culprit, leading to his arrest and the recovery of the stolen merchandise.  hoodline.com