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 10/18/21

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Daniel Puente named Global E-Commerce Fraud Supervisor, US & UK for Go City

Before being named Global E-Commerce Fraud Supervisor, US & UK for Go City, he served as District Asset Protection Manager for Saks Fifth Avenue for nearly five years. Prior to that, he served as AP Manager of Handbags, Cosmetics, Accessories, Women's Designer, Men's, Photo Studio and AP Manager of Investigations For Sak's Fifth Avenue. Earlier in his career, he spent over a year as AP Manager for Lord & Taylor and nearly three years in LP roles with Kohl's. Congratulations, Daniel!


See All the Executives 'Moving Up' Here   |   Submit Your New Corporate Hires/Promotions or New Position
 
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The U.S. Crime Surge
The Retail Impact


Is shoplifting really forcing Walgreens to cut back in S.F.?
Data on the closing stores puts the claim into perspective
Data released by the San Francisco Police Department does not support the explanation announced by Walgreens that it is closing five stores because of organized, rampant retail theft.

One of the stores set to close, on Ocean Avenue, had only seven reported shoplifting incidents this year and a total of 23 since 2018, the data showed. While not all shoplifting incidents are reported to police, the five stores slated to close had fewer than two recorded shoplifting incidents a month on average since 2018.

The announcement put Walgreens at the center of one of the city's most acrimonious debates. What amounted to the closure of a small handful of chain drugstores in the city drew national media attention, fueled by an increasingly bitter fight over how San Francisco polices and prosecutes crime.

"We've been sounding the alarm for a while that this issue is not getting better," said Rachel Michelin, president and CEO of the California Retailers Association, which represents the point of view of merchants.

Michelin contended that shoplifting is a heavy burden for chain stores and other merchants. Hiring security guards and installing locked cases is expensive, she said. She expected to see other retailers shut down in the future.

But the timing of Walgreens' decision led observers to wonder whether a $140 billion company was using an unsubstantiated narrative of unchecked shoplifting to obscure other possible factors in its decision.

"Two things are true: Walgreens has experienced retail theft, and Walgreens has long planned to close stores. We do not know which factor or factors led to the decision to close 300 Gough and other San Francisco stores," Preston said.

One Stanford economist observed that in San Francisco, the customer base is dwindling given the decline in population downtown after the pandemic and the number of people working remotely.

By announcing it was closing stores because of shoplifting, Walgreens inserted itself into one of the most divisive political battles in the city, one that contributed to a broader debate about crime and law enforcement. Proponents of the recall of District Attorney Chesa Boudin, for example, point to shoplifting as one example of how life in the city has deteriorated on his watch. sfchronicle.com

Another City Bans Minor Traffic Stops
Philly City Council passes ban on traffic stops for minor violations
Philadelphia legislators passed a bill Thursday that aims to root out racial profiling by preventing cops from pulling over drivers solely for minor traffic violations.

What's happening: The bill, which the City Council passed 14-2, bans officers from pulling over drivers for so-called "secondary violations," such as driving with a broken taillight or without an inspection sticker.

Why it matters: Philly police are more likely to pull over Black drivers than white drivers. Recent data shows 72% of drivers pulled over for alleged motor vehicle stops in Philadelphia are Black, at-large Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, the bills' main sponsor, said. However, Black residents only make up 42% of the city's population.

Details: The bill was backed by Mayor Jim Kenney and the city's police commissioner, who helped craft it. The council also passed a companion bill to require the police department to track and publicly report data related to vehicle stops. Police can still conduct stops for non-secondary violations, like speeding and blowing through a stop sign.

What they're saying: Gregory Holston, a reverend and senior adviser to Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, said that "structural racism is a reality in our police department." He said the bill serves as a start for law enforcement to regain the trust of the Black community.

The other side: At-large Councilmember David Oh, a Republican who voted against both bills, warned the measure was potentially "illegal" and could be superseded by state law. axios.com

Another 'Alarming' Violence Trend
More People Than Ever Are Trying to Carry Guns Onto Planes
More travelers have been caught at U.S. airports trying to board planes with guns so far this year than any other year in the last two decades, according to newly released federal figures, and most of the weapons were loaded.

With more than two months still remaining in 2021, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has seized nearly 4,500 guns at airport security checkpoints, compared with about 4,400 in all of 2019, before the pandemic caused air travel to plummet in 2020. A total of 976 firearms were seized in 2009. About 85% of the weapons caught so far this year were loaded, the agency says. They were found on passengers or in carry-on bags across 248 U.S. airports, largely in Atlanta and Dallas-Fort Worth.

TSA Administrator David Pekoske says that's an "alarming" record to set during a pandemic when fewer people are flying. And it's one that will likely increase during the upcoming holiday months, the TSA says.

With the exception of 2020, when COVID-19 restrictions drastically reduced air travel, the TSA's number of firearm discoveries has climbed each year since 2009. Even in 2020, while screening far fewer passengers, TSA officers still detected more than 3,200 firearms at checkpoints-twice as many per million passengers than in 2019. About 83% were loaded. time.com

NYC's Crime Surge
Subway crime rate jumps amid 50 percent increase in thefts
A 50 percent surge in thefts targeting city straphangers drove an overall increase in felony subway crime in September, according to new NYPD stats set to be shared at Monday's MTA board meeting.

There were 96 grand larcenies in the subway system last month compared to 64 in August and 55 in July, according to the NYPD. Subway robberies also jumped in September by 18 percent, to 52 robberies from 44 in August, the stats show.

The crimes helped fuel an overall 25 percent increase in felonies committed in the system from August to last month. Meanwhile, felony assault in the subways has remained steady after a frightening headline-generating surge in May. nypost.com

At Least 4 People Killed, 18 Wounded In Weekend Gun Violence In Chicago

U.S. Supreme Court again refuses to weigh in on "police qualified immunity"


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Vaccine Mandate Protests


Business Owners Fear Vaccine Mandate Will Impact Police Response Times
Seattle police officers unfurl Gadsden flags from patrol cars to protest vaccine mandate
Seattle police patrol cars were photographed with Gadsden flags hanging from their windows ahead of Washington state's vaccine mandate going into effect.

"Some officers plan on taking time off to decide what they will do long term. They don't seem eager to stay with SPD. Others explained that they are going to leave the SPD by the end of the year as a result of this," KTTH radio show host Jason Rantz wrote on Twitter, accompanied by the photos. "Officers took these photos in protest of the mandate."

Washington State employees are required to submit proof of vaccination by Monday. Seattle Police Officers Guild President Mike Solan said officers won't face immediate termination but will face a "Loudermill hearing," where the officers can publicly state why they refused to comply with the mandate before formal separation from the force.

One Seattle business owner is already fearful that the mandate will result in staffing shortages and longer 911 call waits.

"I feel like I'm on my own. I can't get help from anywhere. I just open the door every day and don't know if I'm going to go home safe and good to my family or if something is going to happen," Youssef said. "The tourists are not going to come, the people are not going to go out of their home to buy things. It's going to be like a ghost city," Maher Youssef, owner of Youssef's Pluto Organic Café in Belltown, told KING5 News last week.

Thousands gathered outside of Washington state's Capitol Building to protest the state's vaccine mandate earlier this month. foxnews.com

Times Square Vaccine Protest
Hundreds demand 'freedom' from COVID-19 vaccine at Times Square rally
Nearly 1,000 people flocked to a Times Square rally Saturday to protest the COVID-19 vaccine and mandates that they get jabbed. Some participants wore T-shirts or carried signs that read "My Body, My Choice," "Freedom Over Fear" and "De Blasio is the Virus."

A truck with an electronic billboard displayed dubious messages such as, "COVID-19 vaccines can cause injury and death."

"This means standing up for our freedom and indivisible rights, to come together as a group and let each other know we are not alone," said Brett Copp, 56, a city worker from Staten Island who came to the "Rally for Freedom" at 41st Street and Broadway.

The crowd at one point chanted "I stand with Kyrie Irving," the unvaccinated Nets player who was banned from playing until he gets jabbed. Anti-vaxxer Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the board chair of Children's Health Defense, addressed the crowd of about 900 and said, "the vaccine is not safe and effective."

"We have no business giving this to little children. It is unethical, it is medical malpractice," Kennedy claimed. nypost.com

'Ready to Lose Their Jobs' Over Vaccine Mandate
Workers protest angrily near Boeing's Everett plant against vaccination mandate
Several hundred anti-vaccination protesters, most of them Boeing blue-collar workers, voiced loud and angry opposition to the company's newly announced vaccine mandate Friday outside the Machinists union hall in Everett.

Lining Airport Way on both sides and undeterred by pouring rain, the crowd waved signs and U.S. flags while chanting anti-vax and anti-government slogans.

Workers interviewed at the protest said they are determined to resist Boeing's mandate, even ready to lose their jobs.

Their fierce opposition was sparked by Boeing's decision this week, following an executive order from Biden for all federal contractors, to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for all its employees, with limited exemptions. It wasn't possible to know how representative of the workforce the protesters are, but by their own account, they represent a significant fraction. seattletimes.com

'I Want My Job, Not the Jab'
Newport News shipyard workers again hold rally protesting vaccine mandate
Employees rallied outside Newport News Shipbuilding to protest the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate on Friday. All workers must get their first shots by Oct. 27 or Nov. 3, depending on whether they get Moderna or Pfizer. Those getting the J&J vaccine will need to do it by Nov. 24.

Dozens lined Huntington Avenue holding signs and waving American flags. There were also a number of kids out with their parents who work at the shipyard. Many people told 10 On Your Side their issue isn't with the vaccine but with the federal mandate forcing it on employees. Some protesters were fully vaccinated and came out to support their co-workers choice to get the jab - like Linda Coffey. wavy.com

Tucson, AZ: Protest held at Raytheon over COVID-19 vaccine mandate

CA parents, teachers plan statewide walkout to protest school vaccine mandate

A protest in Sacramento is pushing back against vaccine mandates for students

Italy Implements Tough Covid-19 Mandate for Workers, Prompting Protests
 



COVID Update

408.2M Vaccinations Given

US: 45.7M Cases - 744.5K Dead - 35.3M Recovered
Worldwide: 241.5M Cases - 4.9M Dead - 218.7M Recovered


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


Private Industry Security Guard Deaths: 320   Law Enforcement Officer Deaths: 476
*Red indicates change in total deaths


Winter 'Twindemic' Coming?
COVID-19 and flu season could cause 'twindemic' this winter, doctors warn
Last year's flu season was practically non-existent, but now doctors are bracing for a potential "twindemic" of flu and COVID-19 spikes. Experts are saying we've built up less natural immunity against influenza because so few people were infected in 2020. Now health officials are urging everyone to get the flu shot if they can.

"If people get their shot, we hopefully will make it a good flu season," said Dr. Juanita Mora, an allergy and immunity specialist.

"A lot of people are not masking or being as rigorous about washing their hands. There's a lot more events going on like concerts and so forth and not enough people getting their flu shots, and this is why we're concerned that the flu season might be a bad one," said Mora. abc7chicago.com

COVID Law Enforcement & Security Deaths in 2021
231 Police, 119 Security Officers Dead From COVID-19 This Year
A staggering number of frontline first responders in America are dead from the Covid-19 virus. There's no disputing that our frontline workers continue to be exposed to this deadly virus and we only need to look to law enforcement and private security officers to see the toll that the virus continues to take.

As of October 16th, 2021, the Officer Down Memorial Page has recorded 231 law enforcement officer deaths deemed to be as a result of the Coronavirus. During this time, The Private Officer International Memorial Page lists 119 known security officers that have passed away this year from the virus.

Many other security officers may have also lost their lives from this virus during the past nine months but due to a poor reporting system and a lack of public access to death records, it's hard to pinpoint the exact total according to Rick McCann the Founder/CEO of the professional organization.

We all know that the virus is taking a terrible toll on Americans and that our first responders are especially being affected hard by this virus. With the flu season upon us and a forecast of yet another possible strain moving in, things may become much worse before they become better, said McCann who is also a fire-medic. privateofficerbreakingnews.blogspot.com

Inspectors In Stores & Verifying
L.A. County health inspectors enforce new vaccine mandates with training,
not tickets
During the first weekend that Los Angeles County required some indoor businesses to verify the COVID-19 vaccination status of their patrons, health inspectors didn't issue a single citation for noncompliance, but they did have to provide additional training to staff members at nearly one-fifth of the sites they visited.

Officials said the checks performed Oct. 8 to Oct. 10 were focused primarily on education rather than strict enforcement - a long-standing practice of the Public Health Department, particularly when rules have only recently gone into effect.

The county now requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination at indoor bars, wineries, breweries, distilleries, nightclubs and lounges. Patrons and employees need to show they have had at least one vaccine dose, and starting Nov. 4 they must be fully vaccinated.

Last weekend, county health inspectors visited 129 businesses that were subject to the new requirement. Of those, 24 needed training related to implementing the mandate, according to department officials.

At "all of the sites that got visited over the weekend, folks were eager to figure out how they could, in fact, go ahead and make sure that they were creating this extra layer of protection," county Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said.

However, with thousands of establishments throughout the county now under such mandates, inspectors have been able to get to only a handful so far. And throughout the pandemic, some businesses have fought fiercely against public health requirements or made a public show of flouting them. latimes.com

Unprepared for the Next Pandemic?
Threats, Resignations and 100 New Laws: Why Public Health Is in Crisis
State and local public health departments across the country have endured not only the public's fury, but widespread staff defections, burnout, firings, unpredictable funding and a significant erosion in their authority to impose the health orders that were critical to America's early response to the pandemic.

While the coronavirus has killed more than 700,000 in the United States in nearly two years, a more invisible casualty has been the nation's public health system. Already underfunded and neglected even before the pandemic, public health has been further undermined in ways that could resound for decades to come. A New York Times review of hundreds of health departments in all 50 states indicates that local public health across the country is less equipped to confront a pandemic now than it was at the beginning of 2020.

Public health agencies have seen a staggering exodus of personnel, many exhausted and demoralized, in part because of abuse and threats. Dozens of departments reported that they had not staffed up at all, but actually lost employees. About 130 said they did not have enough people to do contact tracing, one of the most important tools for limiting the spread of a virus. The Times identified more than 500 top health officials who left their jobs in the past 19 months.

Legislators have approved more than 100 new laws - with hundreds more under consideration - that limit state and local health powers. That overhaul of public health gives governors, lawmakers and county commissioners more power to undo health decisions and undermines everything from flu vaccination campaigns to quarantine protocols for measles.

Large segments of the public have also turned against agencies, voting in new local government leaders who ran on pledges to rein in public health departments. nytimes.com

Restarting Tourism Dollars?
U.S. Border to Open to International Travelers With Proof of Vaccination
The Biden administration plans to lift travel restrictions for international travelers to the U.S. on Nov. 8, the White House said Friday. The new policy will affect both air and land-border travelers, who will need to be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination.

The Biden administration announced the new date for the easing of the Covid-19 travel rules as it has sought to allay concerns from European allies who have been pressing the U.S. to lift the restrictions. The administration said in September it would require foreign nationals seeking to fly to the U.S. to show proof of vaccination.

Earlier this week, the administration said it would relax Covid-19 travel restrictions on land-border crossings from Canada and Mexico, requiring those travelers into the U.S. for nonessential reasons to show proof of vaccination beginning in early November. wsj.com

Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination to Be Required at Canada, Mexico Borders

'It's going to be within our capability' to prevent another coronavirus surge, Fauci says

Local grocer dies from COVID-19 complications


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COVID's Cargo Clog


300,000 Seafarers Desperate & Trapped at Sea
They've been stuck for months on cargo ships now floating off Southern Calif.
Some 300,000 of these migrant merchant sailors have been stranded on vessels at sea or in ports around the world, according to the International Transport Workers' Federation, a London-based trade union that is among the maritime agencies lobbying governments to address what's been labeled the "crew-change crisis."

They endure unbroken monotony and growing desperation. Their unions and charity groups describe exhaustion, despair, suicide and violence at sea, including at least one alleged murder on a cargo ship headed to Los Angeles.

It strained all parts of the global supply chain, causing ruptures still being felt today as dozens of cargo ships anchored outside Southern California ports wait to unload parts for factories, merchandise for retailers' shelves and online orders destined for consumer doorsteps.

And the coronavirus has added a two-fold stress increase. The unvaccinated crews fear catching COVID-19, and no U.S. port will allow unvaccinated seafarers to leave their vessels.

The same is true of other seaports around the world, said Stefan Mueller-Dombois, a ship inspector with the International Transport Workers' Federation. All have barred them from the biggest respite they had, he said, which was getting off the ships while they are at port, as in the good old days of 2019.

"It's like the seafarers are stuck in a prison," Chauhan said. "All they see every day is steel and containers and other crew members. And what happens? Sometimes they collide with each other." latimes.com

Stuck at Sea & Demanding Action
Mounting crew change crisis demands faster action from governments
The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) estimates that there are now approximately 300,000 seafarers trapped working aboard ships due to the crew change crisis caused by government Covid-19 border and travel restrictions, and an equal number of unemployed seafarers waiting to join them who are ashore. That makes 600,000 seafarers affected by this crisis.

Today marks one month since the ITF told the world's governments that 'Enough is Enough' and that the federation and its affiliates would be assisting the world's seafarers in enforcing their right to stop working, get off and be repatriated to their homes and families, following completion of their contracts. itfseafarers.org

Retail's Nightmare Before Christmas
Will supply chain delays impact holiday shopping? Port of LA director says start buying now
"I've spoken with the shipping line, with the trucking companies, with the freight, everybody. Nobody can explain it ... why there's this portion of the Port of LA, the yard, that's 'non-deliverable,'" he explained.

According to Freightos - an online freight marketplace - shipping a 40-foot container from China to the West Coast cost $1,318 in October 2019. Now, it costs more than $16,000. Plus, in Nov. 2019, a container from China to the U.S. would take 41 days, on average, to ship. Now, it takes 75 days.

Goods aren't just harder to find, they're also becoming more expensive.

Gene Seroka, the executive director of the Port of L.A., told Good Morning America on Thursday that shoppers will find the goods they're looking for this holiday season, but urges them to start looking now.

"Let's do it a little bit early," he said. "Look online. See how long it's going to take to deliver the goods, maybe this weekend. Let's go to the store and see what the products look like so we can get holiday gifts for friends and family." abc7.com

In Case You Missed It: U.S. ports face record backlog ahead of holiday shopping

Holiday shopping tips: "The best thing consumers can really do is shop right now"

Sitting on the Dock of the Bay Might Be Just the Thing for Holiday Shoppers
 



Levi's New Store Model
Why Levi's is opening 100 new stores even as pandemic online sales boom keeps growing

Levi's has introduced a new store model that allows customers to use its app to shop and have both curbside pick-ups and contactless returns.

Levi Strauss & Co., which operates approximately 3,000 stores and shop-in-shops in addition to selling its products online and in other department stores and retailers, has focused on scaling up its investments in its digital experience while also keeping a priority on what a customer experiences shopping in person.

In Levi's 2020 fiscal year, nearly a fourth of its sales came via online shopping, whether directly through Levi's platform or through the digital presence of its wholesalers. In 2015, online sales made up less than 10% of its business.

Last year, Levi's introduced a new experiential store in Palo Alto, California, as part of its push towards more direct-to-consumer sales and less wholesale. There are several digitally-focused features of the "NextGen" store, including integration with the company's app, curbside pick-ups and contactless returns, and an inventory assortment that is driven by local customer data.

Singh said that the company opened 100 new stores last year and has plans to open more than 100 this year. Some of those stores will be the new experiential ones, the company previously announced.

The balance between the in-store and online experience during the pandemic also has led to changes in the way Levi Strauss thinks about its distribution infrastructure, which has grown in importance amid supply chain challenges. cnbc.com

Retail Sales Data Shocks Experts
U.S. retail sales beat expectations for second month in a row
Although September spending was lower than the peaks reached in the post-vax, pre-Delta variant honeymoon economy of the spring, consumers still spent more defiantly than economists had expected.

Why it matters: Higher prices helped push up the absolute spending numbers. But inflation or not, consumers were willing to fork over cash, which bodes well for the Q4 economy and the coming holiday shopping season.

What they're saying: "Inflation is going to have an effect, but [the numbers] still point to healthy demand ... spending isn't falling off," Ma says. The positive spending data is probably not enough to move the needle back up on overall Q3 consumption and growth estimates, wrote LPL analysts.

What's next: The crucial holiday spending season. "I think a lot of the challenges with the holiday season are simply going to be more supply-related. [People] have money, and want to spend savings that's been built up," Ma says. axios.com

In Case You Missed It: The 'Great Resignation' of 4.3M
As retailers shaped holiday hiring plans, 721K retail workers quit in August
Retail workers in August walked out on their jobs at one of the highest rates in the nation, with a total 721,000 quitting that month, according to the latest numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Their quit rate - which the Labor Department in its release said "can serve as a measure of workers' willingness or ability to leave jobs" - was 4.7% in August, a high since April.

Quits hit a new series high going back to December 2000, as 4.3 million workers left their jobs. The quits rate rose to 2.9%, an increase of 242,000 from the previous month, which saw a rate of 2.7%, according to the department's Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. The rate, which is measured against total employment, is the highest in a data series that goes back to December 2000. retaildive.com cnbc.com


Last week's #1 article --

NYC's Shoplifting Tsunami
'Third World' NYC drug store shelves empty amid shoplifting surge
Thanks to a citywide shoplifting tsunami, bare necessities are now rare luxuries on drug-store shelves across New York City.

State bail reform laws make shoplifting a promising career option for some New York City crooks. One man, Isaac Rodriguez, 22, of Queens, was arrested for shoplifting 46 times this year alone, The Post exclusively reported last week.

The blame goes straight to the halls of power in Albany, said New York City top cop Dermot Shea. "Insanity," the police commissioner tweeted last week in response to The Post report. "No other way to describe the resulting crime that has flowed from disastrous bail reform law."

Serial shoplifters, even if arrested, typically walk free the same day. Cases against them are often not prosecuted. Drug stores, filled with aisles of small necessities, offer an easy-to-harvest goldmine for thieves.

There are 77 other thieves right now walking the streets of New York with rap sheets of 20 or more shoplifting charges, NYPD sources say. nypost.com



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Fighting Back Against Cybercriminals
Cyber Private Eyes Go After Hackers, Without Counterattacking

Some companies work within confines of federal law to take action against attackers, stopping short of hacking back

Companies hit by hackers typically limit themselves to playing defense to comply with a federal law against invading someone's computer. But some specialist cybersecurity firms say they can pursue criminals without launching their own attacks.

Most cybercrimes in the U.S. fall under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, a 1986 law that prohibits unauthorized access of computer systems. The law effectively places offensive cybersecurity actions solely in the hands of the federal government.

Striking back against hackers directly might be off limits but some former spies and cyber cops say that disrupting an attack in progress is a different story, as long as defenders follow the letter of the law. That often means persuading a hacker to give consent to access the computer or database being used in the suspected cyberattack, for instance by posing as a customer for stolen data.

Max Kelly, the chief executive of security-services provider Redacted Inc., advocates proactively going after digital criminals. Businesses hire Redacted to manage their security, but the company can also take on hackers, he said. Redacted's employees, 60% of whom are former intelligence officers, will engage with cybercriminals such as ransomware operators, those offering his clients' data for sale on the dark web, or serial online harassers, he said.

A direct confrontation often can be enough to get them to back off, said Mr. Kelly, who previously worked at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Security Agency and Facebook Inc.

"[The attackers] think they're impervious and can't be touched," he said. "As soon as you come and poke at them, and they're able to connect that to the activity they're involved with, they disappear."

The idea of giving the private sector leeway to strike back against hackers has gained some momentum following strikes on prominent critical infrastructure operators this year, such as a ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline Co. in May that disrupted fuel supplies on the East Coast, and a similar hack of the U.S. operations of meat processor JBS SA in June.

Sens. Steve Daines (R., Mont.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D., R.I.) in June introduced a bill to require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to study the feasibility of amending the 1986 law to allow companies "to take proportional actions" against hackers. wsj.com

$600M in Ransomware Payments
Suspected Ransomware Payments Nearly Doubled This Year, Treasury Says

Financial firms flagged nearly $600 million in suspected ransomware payments; Treasury investigators identified billions more

AdvertisementThe volume of suspected ransomware payments flagged by U.S. banks has surged this year, on pace to nearly double last year's, the Treasury Department said Friday, highlighting the scale of a problem that governments across the world have described as a critical national security threat.

Nearly $600 million in transactions were linked to possible ransomware payments in so-called Suspicious Activity Reports financial services firms filed to the U.S. government in the first six months of this year, according to a Treasury Department report. That is more than 40% more than the total for all of 2020.

In an indication the actual amount is much higher, Treasury Department investigators in the same time period identified about $5.2 billion in bitcoin transactions as potential ransomware payments, the report stated.

The report came a day after governments from more than 30 countries committed to coordinated action against ransomware attacks, including bolstering regulation of crypto markets and data sharing.

Over the last year, the growing scale, scope and severity of attacks by foreign hackers has brought to the fore the national security implications of ransomware, compromising interstate infrastructure, food supplies and health systems.

Amid warnings from top national security officials, the Biden White House has made combating ransomware attacks an administration priority, launching an interagency task force, sanctioning for the first time a cryptocurrency exchange that allegedly facilitated payments, issuing new regulations for financial firms and vulnerable industries, and convening this week's international summit. wsj.com

From Russia With Love
New Russian Based Ransomware Group Targeting Large Companies and Hospitals
Threat intelligence firm Mandiant released findings about a new Russian based hacking group dubbed FIN12, which is targeting the health care industry and companies with revenue over $300 million. Mandiant said that FIN12 is "very aggressive and brazen in who they target."

According to Mandiant, FIN12 uses different hacking techniques and tools to infiltrate targets, stays in the company's system for only two days, does not exfiltrate data or use double extortion techniques, and uses Ryuk malware. FIN12 is financially motivated and targets companies who have critical systems that can't be down for long periods of time and are relying on companies to pay quickly to get their system back up quickly, almost as a cost of doing business.

This is an unfortunate reality that many companies are facing: pay to get back up and running and resume business operations, or fight the hackers and maybe lose more money than the price of the ransom? With these business decisions, it is understandable why combatting ransomware attacks is so difficult when you are right in the middle of one. jdsupra.com

REvil Ransomware Explained
A widespread extortion operation

The REvil group, a.k.a. Sodinokibi, re-victimizes its targets by threatening to release stolen data even after the initial ransom demand is paid.

REvil is a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operation that has extorted large amounts of money from organizations worldwide over the past year. Its name stands for Ransomware Evil and was inspired by the Resident Evil movie series. According to recent reports from security firms, it is the most widespread ransomware threat and the group behind it doubles down on its extortion efforts by also stealing business data and threatening to release it.

IBM Security X-Force estimated that REvil hit at least 140 organizations since it appeared in April 2019 with wholesale, manufacturing, and professional services being the most frequently targeted industries. Around 60% of the gang's victims are organizations from the US, followed by UK, Australia and Canada. csoonline.com

CPRA Update: CA Legislature Makes Technical Changes to Calif. Privacy Rights Act
 



RH-ISAC's Security Awareness Symposium

Tue, October 26 | 10:00 AM EST

The Security Awareness Symposium is a one-day, online event that is designed to provide security awareness training to employees within all departments of retail, hospitality, and travel organizations. The event celebrates the RH-ISAC's commitment to Cybersecurity Awareness Month and provides both members and non-members an opportunity to provide education and training to their employees.

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Never. Stop. Learning.

"I've always done it that way" may be one of the most infuriating comments to hear when attempting to educate for change or instruct a training session. As leaders, sometimes there is a false sense of ego that comes along with years of success, positive feedback and encouraging results. Truth be told, I think the best instructors must also be the best students. Last week, in attendance at the International Association of Interviewers Elite Training Days, I had the opportunity to learn from experts in a variety of fields.

Read more here

 


 

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Congress Threatens Amazon With DOJ Investigation
Members of Congress Question Whether Amazon Execs Misled Congress

In a letter, bipartisan group of representatives asks for documents, 'exculpatory' evidence as they consider whether to recommend Justice Department investigation

Members of a congressional committee questioned whether Amazon.com Inc. executives
misled them during an investigation of the company's business practices and if they may have lied under oath.

In a letter sent to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy on Sunday, five members of Congress
asked the company to provide "exculpatory evidence" to corroborate the sworn testimony that several leaders, including then-CEO Jeff Bezos, provided to the House Judiciary Committee's antitrust subcommittee in 2019 and 2020. The letter was signed by Reps. David Cicilline (D., R.I.), Ken Buck (R., Colo.), Pramila Jayapal (D., Wash.), Jerrold Nadler (D., N.Y.) and Matt Gaetz (R., Fla.). The subcommittee probed Amazon's use of data from third-party sellers as it has developed private-label products.

"We strongly encourage you to make use of this opportunity to correct the record and provide the Committee with sworn, truthful, and accurate responses to this request as we
consider whether a referral of this matter to the Department of Justice for criminal investigation is appropriate," the members wrote in the letter, which was reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.

An Amazon spokesman said the company and its executives didn't mislead the committee. He noted that Amazon has an internal policy prohibiting
the use of individual seller data to develop Amazon products, and said that it investigates any allegations that the policy may have been violated. He also said the company designs the search function on its site to feature products customers want.

At issue is how Amazon responded to accusations that it uses the data of third-party sellers on its site when creating private-label products.
Amazon executives repeatedly told members of the subcommittee in testimony and in written responses that it doesn't use the data of individual third-party sellers to inform its vast lines of its own brands.

The
letter names Mr. Bezos, who testified in July of 2020; Nate Sutton, Amazon's associate general counsel, who testified in July of 2019; and correspondence from David Zapolsky, the company's general counsel, and Brian Huseman, its vice president for public policy. wsj.com

Amazon sellers will be acquired at an unprecedented rate next year

So-called Amazon aggregators are buying multiple third-party merchants.

Acquisitions of third-party sellers on Amazon's giant online marketplace are expected to surge next year, with more than 1,000 merchants estimated to be snapped up by so-called aggregators. The dealmaking is so frenzied that many buyers say they will pay anything for these businesses.

That's according to a recent survey by Fortunet, a firm that helps facilitate deals between the acquirers, known as Amazon aggregators, and merchants. The survey, conducted in June, asked 42 aggregators a variety of questions, including preferred seller profiles, popular seller categories, and ideal profit margins of targets.

The findings give a comprehensive look at Amazon aggregators, which have gained major traction in recent years. Given most aggregators just finished raising more capital, a surge in transactions is expected in the coming year, according to Juozas Kaziukėnas, CEO of Marketplace Pulse, who helped Fortunet complete the survey. businessinsider.com

Jana Partners Takes Stake in Macy's, Urges E-Commerce Spinoff


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Naperville, IL: Jewelry Merchants Robbed Outside Hotel
A group of jewelry merchants were robbed this weekend outside a hotel in Naperville. At 10:52 p.m. Saturday, Naperville police were called to the Marriott Hotel at 1081 N. Naper Blvd. for a robbery. They learned that some jewelry salespeople had just completed a private showing and were leaving, when three masked men forcibly took cases of their merchandise in the parking lot. One of the merchants got into a struggle with one of the robbers, before the robbers all sped off in a van in which two other men were waiting, police said. The merchant was not injured. The robbers were wearing masks, dark clothing, and gloves, and the other two suspects in the van were also wearing dark clothing. chicago.cbslocal.com


Napa, CA: Theft of $30,000 worth of sunglasses in Napa leads to police chase; 3 arrested
Three suspects connected to the theft of dozens of pairs of sunglasses from an outlet mall Friday led police on a pursuit that ended with their arrests in Richmond, according to Napa Police. At about noon, the suspects entered the Sunglass Hut store at Napa Premium Outlets off Freeway Drive, where they put sunglasses worth more than $30,000 into bags and left without paying, according to police Sgt. Omar Salem. Police located their car in south Napa and began a pursuit, which was joined by the Napa County Sheriff's Office and California Highway Patrol as the vehicle left first the city and then the county of Napa, Salem said. Later, the car was stopped in Richmond and three female occupants arrested, according to Salem. Two 20-year-old San Francisco residents, Ariana Irisha Garth and Latasharae Edwards, were booked into the Napa County jail. The third suspect was booked into the Napa County juvenile hall, and her name was not released because of her age, Salem said. Garth and Edwards were held on suspicion of grand theft and conspiracy to commit a crime, and Garth faced an additional misdemeanor allegation of evading police. Edwards was released shortly after 7:30 p.m. Friday, but Garth continued to be held in the jail Sunday afternoon, according to booking records. The stolen sunglasses were returned to the Napa store, police said in a Facebook announcement.
napavalleyregister.com

Castle Rock, CO: Machete-wielding robbers leave shoppers shaken at Lowes
Two armed robbers are on the run after allegedly threatening shoppers and employees at a Castle Rock hardware store. Police say the two people were armed with an axe and a machete. No one was injured, but the suspects did steal more than $2,000 of tools. kdvr.com

Chicago, IL: Robberies On Magnificent Mile Prompt Warning For Businesses
A string of robberies has prompted a warning for businesses around the Magnificent Mile. Two store were robbed by teenagers. Chicago police said both of these thefts happened last week, during the afternoon hours. The teens would run in, grab purses off the display tables and run out to a waiting getaway car Police said a dark-colored Jeep, and a black Lexus were used in the escape.
chicago.cbslocal.com

East Hempfield, Township, PA: $1,100 Baby Formula Theft reported at Giant Eagle
An unidentified man and woman were seen entering a Giant Food Store at 550 Centerville Road and loading a cart with $1,160.66 of Similac baby formula, then leaving the store without paying at 5:53 p.m. on Sept. 15, police said.
lancasteronline.com

Manhattan, NY: Man steals two duffel bags of electronics, food from NYC Target
A thief left his mark on a Manhattan Target Sunday morning - swiping two duffel bags-worth of items while flashing a box cutter at security guards, cops said.
nypost.com



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Shootings & Deaths

Houston, TX: Gunman who ambushed 3 deputies, killing 1, remains on the run
A gunman authorities said shot three Texas constable deputies, one fatally, during an "ambush" outside a Houston nightclub remained at large on Sunday afternoon. The incident unfolded around 2:15 a.m. on Saturday outside the 45 Norte Sports Bar in the Independence Heights neighborhood of north Houston, according to the Houston Police Department, which is leading the investigation. Three Harris County Precinct 4 constable deputies were working an extra job at the club when they went outside to address "a disturbance" that "may have been a robbery," Houston Police Executive Assistant Chief James Jones said during a news conference.

Two of the deputies entered the parking lot and began to arrest a possible suspect when a second suspect emerged and opened fire with an AR-15 rifle, striking both, precinct officials said Saturday. The officers were identified on the precinct's Facebook page as deputy Kareem Atkins, 30, who had been with Precinct 4 since January 2019 and died of his injuries, and deputy Darrell Garrett, 28, who was employed at Precinct 4 since March 2018 and was shot in the back and underwent surgery. He is in the intensive care unit at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center in Houston, authorities said.

Atkins had recently returned to work from paternity leave, officials said. He leaves behind a wife and two children, including a 2-month-old baby, officials said. Upon hearing the gunshots, deputy Juqaim Barthen, 26, who was employed at the precinct since September 2019, rushed to help and was also shot in the foot, James said. The Houston Police Department said an individual was detained near the scene and was interviewed by detectives. "At this time, he is not believed to be the shooter," the agency said in a post on Twitter. Officer Keith Smith, a spokesperson for the Houston Police Department, told ABC News on Sunday afternoon that a massive search is ongoing for the suspected gunman and that police are asking for the public's help in identifying and capturing him. The suspect is described as a heavy-set, bearded Hispanic man in his early 20s who was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans. "We hope a suspect is in custody soon and I hope for swift and quick justice for that individual because he ambushed my deputies," said Constable for Precinct 4 Mark Herman. "This is very tragic. I do believe that good always trumps evil and what happened ... was evil." abcnews.go.com


Lee County, FL: C-Store Robbery suspect killed in LCSO deputy-involved shooting has been identified
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said a 21-year-old Tampa man with a long criminal history had robbed a 7-Eleven store late Sunday and then another at about 7:30 a.m. Sunday, threatening the clerks with a knife. The man fled, but deputies found him. Marceno said the man tried to attack deputies with a knife, but they fatally shot him. He did not release the suspect's name, saying the investigation is ongoing.
mysuncoast.com

Fayetteville, NC: 1 killed, 1 injured in overnight shooting at local restaurant
One person is dead and another is hurt after an early morning shooting in Fayetteville. Fayetteville Police Department said it happened around 3 a.m. at the Island Flava Restaurant and Lounge on Owen Drive. Investigators said a person shot two people at the restaurant. One was taken to the hospital in an ambulance, the other in a personal vehicle. Bruce McLeod, 33, of Laurinburg died at the hospital. Gavin Hale, 33, of Laurinburg was in stable condition at the hospital as of Sunday afternoon. The shooter ran off after opening fire. They have not been located.
abc11.com

Lancaster, PA: Multiple people injured in shooting at Park City Center mall in Lancaster
Multiple people were injured on Sunday in a shooting at the Park City Center Mall in Lancaster. It happened just before 2:30 p.m. Police said the shooting resulted in non-life-threatening injuries. Three men and one woman were treated for gunshot wounds. Two women were also injured leaving the mall. One store owner took some video of some tense moments after the shooting. You can watch that in the video player below. Please note, some may find it disturbing. A mall employee said he was coming back into the mall from his break when he witnessed the confrontation. "Once I got toward the Apple store and I just saw people running and at that point I was kind of like, 'That was odd.' But the more and more people just started running, the more people started trampling each other and that that point, I was like 'I have to go back to the store,' and we started grabbing everybody and taking everybody to the back of the rooms," said Christian Zapata, a Vans store employee.
wgal.com

Houston, TX: Convenience store robbed, leaving 1 person shot multiple times

 



Robberies, Incidents & Thefts

Jackson, MI: 16 year-old employee under investigation for $9,000 Best Buy fraud
A 16 year-old girl is currently under investigation for credit card fraud of approximately $9,000 at the Jackson Best Buy. Police believe that the girl, who was employed by Best Buy at the time of the fraudulent charges, purchased merchandise using multiple customer accounts. The investigation started in late September. The exact amount of merchandise purchased, the timeframe in which they were purchased and the girl's current employment status are presently unknown. The investigation is ongoing. wkhm.com


Little Rock, AR: Arkansas homeless man returns to pay for Little Debbie snack he took during robbery
A homeless man in Arkansas returned to a gas station to pay for a Little Debbie cake he was told to take after walking in on a robbery in progress last week, according to a local report. The robbery happened around 3 a.m. Friday at a Big Red convenience store at Valero gas station in Little Rock. The suspect pulled a gun on an employee behind the counter and demanded cash from the register, according to the report. As the employee put the money into a bag, a homeless man walked in. The suspect told the homeless to take anything he wanted, so the homeless man grabbed a Little Debbie cake and walked out, the station reported. But once police responded to the scene, the homeless man returned to pay for the snack. Police said the suspect also stole two packs of cigarettes before fleeing the gas station in a vehicle. 
thv11.com

Camarillo, CA: Staged robbery involved past and present workers at shop

Columbus, OH: Two suspects sought after Armed theft from Tuttle Macy's


Joliet, IL: Man Sentenced To 13 Years For 2019 Armed Robbery Of AT&T Store


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C-Store - Memphis, TN - Armed Robbery
C-Store - Houston, TX - Armed Robbery
C-Store -Easton, PA - Robbery
C-Store - Little Rock, AR - Robbery
C-Store - Kingsport, TN - Robbery
C-Store - Herndon, VA - Robbery
Family Dollar - Hegins, PA - Robbery
GameStop - Waterville, ME - Robbery
Gas Station - Akron, OH - Armed Robbery
Hardware - Castle Rock, CO - Robbery
Jewelry - Swansea, MA - Robbery
Jewelry - Taylor, MI - Robbery
Jewelry - Lincolnwood, IL - Robbery
Jewelry - Hurst, TX - Robbery
Jewelry - Auburn, WA - Robbery
Jewelry - San Francisco, CA - Burglary
Jewelry - Olympia, WA - Burglary
Macy's - Columbus, OH - Armed Robbery
Pharmacy - Beaufort County, NC - Armed Robbery
Restaurant - Omaha, NE - Armed Robbery (Subway)
Restaurant - Webster County, IA - Armed Robbery (McDonalds)
Target - New York, NY - Robbery
Tobacco - Mission, TX - Armed Robbery
Tobacco - Evansville, IL - Burglary
7-Eleven - Lee County, FL - Armed Robbery (Suspect killed)
7-Eleven - Petaluma, CA - Armed Robbery

 

Daily Totals:
• 23 robberies
• 3 burglaries
• 1 shooting
• 1 killed


 



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Zach Torres named Regional AP Manager for Victoria's Secret



Chris Austin, LPC named Manager, Loss Prevention
for Sportsman's Warehouse


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Featured Job Spotlights

 

Help Your Colleagues By Referring the Best

Refer the Best & Build the Best
 





Regional Loss Prevention Manager
Houston, TX (Remote Opportunity) - posted October 14
The position will be responsible for: Internal theft investigations; External theft investigations; Major cash shortage investigations; Fraudulent transaction investigations; Missing inventory investigations; Reviewing stores for physical security improvements
...



Environmental Health, and Safety Manager
Eden Prairie, MN - posted October 7
The Environmental Health, and Safety Manager will implement policies to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Inspects the facility to identify safety, health, and environmental risks. Develops and implements inspection policies and procedures, and a schedule of routine inspections. Prepares and schedules training to cover emergency procedures, workplace safety, and other relevant topics. Read more here




Field Loss Prevention Manager
Seattle, WA - posted October 7
Staples is focused on our customer and our community. As a Field Loss Prevention Manager for Staples, you will manage and coordinate Loss Prevention and Safety Programs intended to protect Staples assets and ensure a safe work environment within Staples Retail locations.
..




Corporate Risk Manager
Central (Denver, Kansas City, Oklahoma, Little Rock & Calif.)
- posted October 5

Summary of Role and Responsibilities: A proactive approach to preventing losses/injuries, whether to our employees, third parties, or customer's valuables. They include but are not limited to cash in transit, auto losses, or injuries...




Director, Loss Prevention & Safety
Goleta, CA - posted September 24
The Director of Loss Prevention & Environmental, Health and Safety plans, organizes, implements, and directs HERBL's programs, procedures, and practices to ensure the safety and security of company employees and property...




Asset Protection Lead
Hudson Valley, NY - posted September 13
Responsible for protecting the assets of the company and ensuring a safe environment for our employees and customers. Utilizes the tools and resources available to initiate and follow through on internal investigations. Work closely with store management to increase LP awareness
...




District Loss Prevention Manager
Macedonia, OH - posted September 9
The District Loss Prevention Manager develops and implements the Loss Prevention program for their market. The DLPM is responsible for driving results through achievement of goals related to inventory shortage, budget lines, cash variance and operational compliance...



District Asset Protection Manager
Burlington, MA - posted September 1
The District Asset Protection Manager is responsible for mitigating safety and security related risks for the organization through the implementation of programs, procedures, policies and training. This role promotes a safe store environment while addressing and minimizing loss caused by shrink, theft and fraud in assigned stores, across multiple locations...




Area Loss Prevention Manager
Pittsburgh, PA and/or Cleveland, OH - posted July 30
Our Area Loss Prevention Managers ensure safe and secure stores through the objective identification of loss and risk opportunities. Our Area Loss Prevention Managers plan and prioritize to provide an optimal customer experience to their portfolio of stores. They thrive on supporting and building high performance teams that execute with excellence.
..



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Perception becomes reality slowly on a macro level and it's difficult to change it if it's incorrect or doesn't portray the truth. It's the same reason law enforcement separates witnesses to ensure clarity and truth. The group mind becomes influenced by opinion and agendas and distorts the true reality. One can only rely on daily vigilance based on doing what's right to hopefully impact the individuals one works with on a daily basis to carry the experience forward and be witness to what is right.


Just a Thought,
Gus

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