Web version / Mobile version
 

Advertisement

 10/19/22

LP, AP & IT Security's #1 News Source

D-Ddaily.net

   


Advertisement


Advertisement
 



Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement
 
Advertisement

 


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement





Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement




 


 

MNORCA Annual Conference
October 25

CLEAR Conference 2022
November 7-10

ISC East
November 15-17

NRF Big Show 2023
January 15-17

See More Events


 


 



Advertisement




















 
Advertisement

 

Advertisement



David Almasi promoted to Vice President of U.S. Retail Sales for 3SI

3SI, a global leader in innovative security technology, today, announced the promotion of David Almasi to Vice President of U.S. Retail Sales. In conjunction, he will continue in his role as the Vice President of Canada and International Sales, which he has led since 2020.

"David has been a key contributor to our revenue growth in both the Canadian and International markets, and we are excited to see his leadership applied in the U.S. Retail market," said Michael Chiavacci, Chief Revenue Officer for 3SI. "With his depth of global security experience and his proven ability to drive sustainable growth in major markets, David will lead a keen focus on enabling our Retail customers to protect their precious assets and create a safer world."

Before joining 3SI, Almasi held various sales leadership and business development roles at General Electric, Stanley Security Solutions, and ADT Security Services.

Read more here


See All the Executives 'Moving Up' Here   |   Submit Your New Corporate Hires/Promotions or New Position
 
Advertisement

 

 

Advertisement

 


Advertisement

Advertisement



 


It's 'Auror Week' on the D&D Daily!


Check out today's 'Vendor Spotlight' from Auror directly beneath the 'Top News' column to learn about 'Retail Crime Intelligence'.
 



Checkpoint Systems launches SFERO - a high performing, modular RFID as EAS solution for apparel

Checkpoint Systems - a global leader in retail technology solutions - has added to its RFID loss prevention portfolio with the launch of SFERO - a fully customizable, modular RFID as EAS solution for apparel with high detection performance to minimize losses and protect stores in new ways.

Representing a seismic shift in RFID as EAS technology, SFERO enables retailers to accommodate any store layout and design. The new modular retail security solution means store operators can combine intelligent pedestals and overhead antennas to create a sphere of protection that can be increased or decreased depending on the levels of shrinkage and the requirements of each store. It also enables retailers to move away from out-of-the-box, one-size-fits-all systems, instead tailoring the technology so that they can adapt the level of protection for each store within a portfolio, as it changes and grows.

Read more here
 



LPRC IMPACT

Record-breaking attendance in 2022 - Save the date for 2023!



2022 LPRC IMPACT in Gainesville, FL was filled with great networking, engaging research-based content, and one-of-a-kind social events! With a record-breaking attendance of over 425 retailers, solution providers, and industry partners from all over the globe, 2022 LPRC IMPACT was one for the books!
 

Save the date for next year's LPRC IMPACT
on October 2nd to the 4th!
 



The U.S. Crime Surge
The Retail Impact


DHS Partners with Retail Industry to Wage War on ORC
CLEAR, NRF, RILA and others partner with the feds to battle ORC

Homeland Security Investigations launches Operation Boiling Point

Operations takes aim at organized theft groups through industry partnerships and consumer awareness

WASHINGTON - Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) announced today the launch of Operation Boiling Point focused on combating organized theft groups (OTG) through the targeting of domestic and transnational criminal organizations (TCO) profiting from organized retail crime (ORC). Partnering with federal, state, local law enforcement and prosecutors, as well as financial, retail, freight transportation, and other industries Operation Boiling Point provides a multi-faceted approach to disrupt and dismantle OTGs through partnerships, investigations, and consumer awareness.

"Organized retail crime costs American businesses tens of billions of dollars each year," said Steve K. Francis, Acting Executive Associate Director of HSI. "Organized theft groups have become more brazen and violent, causing a destructive effect on the economy, resulting in lost jobs and higher prices. HSI works tirelessly to protect American businesses and consumers and is dedicated to put a stop to organized retail crime."

Operation Boiling Point is Homeland Security Investigations' (HSI) response to OTGs profiting from ORC, cargo theft and other theft-related crimes that threaten the economy and security of the United States. HSI's strong partnership with private industry groups, such as the Coalition of Law Enforcement and Retail (CLEAR), the National Retail Federation (NRF), the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) and others, are critical to our efforts to combat OTGs who seek to disrupt interstate and foreign commerce.

In fiscal year (FY) 2021, HSI initiated 59 ORC investigations, representing a 211 percent increase from 19 investigations initiated in FY 2020, and accounting for 61 criminal arrests, 55 indictments, 59 cases initiated, and $9,287,757 in assets seized. ice.gov

Metal Detectors Deployed at Mall of America Following Shootings
Mall of America tests "weapons detection system" as part of new security strategy

Mall of America is testing metal detectors at one entrance following two incidents of gunfire and an armed robbery within the last year

Major League Baseball mandated them in 2014. Disney World added them in 2015. Airports, county courthouses, prisons and a host of others have had them for decades. Mall of America may be next in 2022, joining the list of major attractions and venues across the United States to employ metal detectors as an added layer of security against gun violence.

According to an MOA spokeswoman, the mall this month is testing the use of a "weapons detection system" at its north entrance, and might be moved to another location as part of the process.

A spokeswoman wrote in a statement, "We are always looking for innovative ways to enhance security using the latest technology. With Mall of America being such a unique property, it is important to thoroughly evaluate this technology onsite to ensure its accuracy, effectiveness, and efficiency. We are currently in the process of testing a variety of options that may allow us to further enhance our advanced security systems at Mall of America."

The arrival of the detectors comes as MOA grapples with two shootings over the past year, including one in August at the Nike store that placed the mall under lockdown. On Tuesday, Kimball complimented the mall's response since then and noted she's seen a more robust police presence and engaged in several drills.

Anil Chitkara, founder and chief growth officer at Evolv, said the detectors being tested at MOA are used at stadiums and other big venues across the country.

Chitkara said, "Things that might be personal items like keys, coins, mobile phones, they'll go right through. It ignores them. The vast majority of people will go right through without ever stopping, yet they're being screened for weapons."

How they work and what they'll accomplish at MOA will be evaluated over the next month, and Chitkara said any detection system should be employed among many layers of security. cbsnews.com  statesville.com

Crime & Safety Closures - Or Something Else?
A Starbucks in Indianapolis is closing over safety concerns, puzzling local police and business owners who say the area is 'very safe'

Puzzled police say they weren't aware of any safety problems and were rarely called to the area.

Starbucks is closing a store in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana over safety concerns, joining more than a dozen other locations that the company has closed since July for the same reasons.

But local police and business owners are puzzled by the announcement, telling Fox 59 that the area is safe. "We were not made aware of any type of safety concerns," Phil Burton, commander of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's Downtown District, told the outlet.

He said that officers aren't often called to the businesses on Monument Circle and that in 2022 police have only been called specifically to that store once so far, which was for a report of theft and battery of an employee and led to an arrest.

"Downtown is very safe," Burton told WRTV.

Officers visit local businesses and speak to managers to see if they have any concerns, and adjust their daily patrol plan based on this information, Burton told Fox 59. He said that Starbucks hadn't expressed its concerns and spoken to police about the the decision to close prior to the announcement being made.

"Data indicates that Downtown continues to be the safest district in Indianapolis, accounting for less than 5% of overall crime," she told Fox 59. businessinsider.com

The Role of Online Platforms in Mass Shooting Attacks
Attorney General James & Governor Hochul Release Report on the Role of Online Platforms in the Buffalo Shooting

AG James and Governor Hochul Call for Federal and State Legislative Reforms to Combat Online Extremism and Violence

New York Attorney General Letitia James and Governor Kathy Hochul today released a report on the role of online platforms in the tragic Buffalo mass shooting where 10 Black individuals were killed and three others were injured at the Tops grocery store. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) reviewed thousands of pages of documents and social media content to examine how the alleged shooter used online platforms to plan, prepare, and publicize his attack.

This investigation and subsequent report were completed in accordance with a referral from Governor Hochul. During the course of the investigation, OAG obtained and reviewed external and internal content and policies of several of the online platforms used by the shooter. The report concludes that fringe online platforms, like 4chan, radicalized the shooter; livestreaming platforms, like Twitch, were weaponized to publicize and encourage copycat violent attacks; and a lack of oversight, transparency, and accountability of these platforms allowed hateful and extremist views to proliferate online, leading to radicalization and violence.

In the wake of these findings, Attorney General James and Governor Hochul are calling for federal and state reforms to combat online extremism and violence, including state legislation that would criminalize graphic images or videos created by a perpetrator of a homicide and penalize individuals who reshare or repost those same images or videos. In addition, Attorney General James and Governor Hochul are recommending changes to Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act to increase accountability of online platforms and require companies take reasonable steps to prevent unlawful violent criminal content from appearing on their platforms. ag.ny.gov

FedEx Shooting-Security Lawsuit
Judge dismisses families' lawsuit against FedEx over deadly mass shooting

The judge did not dismiss the part of the lawsuit against the security company, Securitas Security Services, USA.

A judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the families of five victims of the FedEx mass shooting in Indianapolis against the company. The judge did not dismiss the part of the lawsuit against the security company, Securitas Security Services, USA.

Securitas filed a response to the lawsuit on June 13, 2022. It said it did provide guard services at the facility, but basically denies responsibility for the deaths and shootings.

The mass shooting happened April 15, 2021, at a FedEx Ground facility. Eight people were shot and killed. The families that filed the lawsuit were all of victims who were not clocked in and working at the time of the shooting.

"Losing her is one of the biggest devastations in our life," said Gary Johal, son of Amarjeet Johal, when the lawsuit was filed in April. "This whole situation was preventable. Multiple parties need to be held accountable."

Among the lawsuit's claims against all or certain parties: general negligence; failure to warn; failure to keep premises safe; failure to provide adequate security; negligent hiring, training and supervision. wthr.com

Man wants apology after being flagged as shoplifter, asked to leave Canadian Tire store
Company will not say if it is using facial recognition technology to ID shoplifters at store

How to stop the next mass shooting
A symposium from across the political spectrum focusing on nine topics that arise in the wake of every mass shooting gun violence and what to do about it.

'Rampant Theft' Closes Techie Brand Cotopaxi's Only San Francisco Store

New York Voters Turn Eyes to Crime, and That May Be Bad News for Democrats

NC Democrats seek bipartisan gun laws after mass shooting


Advertisement

 



COVID Update

627.8M Vaccinations Given

US: 98.9M Cases - 1M Dead - 96.2M Recovered
Worldwide: 630.9M Cases - 6.5M Dead - 610M Recovered


Private Industry Security Guard Deaths: 362   Law Enforcement Officer Deaths: 812


The COVID Impact: Crime Surged, Prison Populations Plunged
Inmates granted early release, courts faced backlog in 2020 due to COVID

'Releasing any proportion of this group from prison due to COVID will certainly have resulted in more crime being committed,' one expert says

Crime has skyrocketed across the country in the last couple of years, most notably violent crimes such as murders. As the country dealt with coronavirus lockdowns that upended society, the protests and riots that erupted in the summer of 2020 and a demoralized police force, data show prison populations also fell that year.

"Historic data clearly shows that if we can return to policies of consistent prosecution for low and high-level crimes and return the option of incarceration where it has been removed, we can hope for long-term 'peace dividends,'" Manhattan Institute's director of policing and public safety Hannah Meyers told Fox News Digital.

Data show that prison populations dropped in 2020 as federal and state prisons released inmates that year as the coronavirus raged, and government officials worried the close-quarters inmates share could exacerbate the spread.

Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) data found that 2020 marked the "largest single year decrease" for the number of people in prison "since the United States began tracking prisoner populations through the National Prisoner Statistics program in 1926." The data found that there was a 15% decrease across federal and state prisons in 2020 compared to 2019.

"Certainly COVID led to an enormous decrease in incarceration both through decisions made by prosecutors and by judges," Meyers said. Meyers noted that inmates held at state and federal prisons are serious and repeat offenders with high recidivism rates.

"So, releasing any proportion of this group from prison due to COVID will certainly have resulted in more crime being committed," she said. foxnews.com

Post-COVID Remote Work - Key to Recruitment & Retention?
How Workers Fared When Moving To Work Remotely During Covid
In the decade prior to the pandemic, we saw remote work jobs grow by around 400%, which meant that there were around 4 million remote workers in the United States alone. Research from the University of Chicago estimates that we could potentially see a third of the 255 million desk jobs globally performed remotely by 2030.

This trend is set against a global talent shortage, with 40% of workers actively considering changing their jobs. This isn't a case of workers not wanting to work but more that employers are not providing what workers want. Indeed, some Gartner estimates suggest up to 40% of employees could quit if they're forced to work on-site by their employer.

Australian research highlights that it's very difficult to draw firm conclusions across a diverse workforce, and so the key seems to be to avoid imposing blanket policies and instead give people the flexibility and autonomy to choose when and where they work.

The availability of portable computing, robust internet connectivity, and digital collaboration software has meant that remote working is more accessible than ever before. At a time when companies are bleeding talent, it's perhaps something to consider when trying to boost both recruitment and retention. forbes.com

Winter Surge is Coming
XBB, BQ.1.1, BA.2.75.2 - a variant swarm could fuel a winter surge

Instead of a single new Greek letter variant, a group of immune-evading omicron spinoffs are popping up all over the world

This fall and winter are expected to be different: Instead of a single ominous variant lurking on the horizon, experts are nervously eyeing a swarm of viruses - and a new evolutionary phase in the pandemic.

This time, it's unlikely we will be barraged with a new collection of Greek alphabet variants. Instead, one or more of the multiple versions of the omicron variant that keep popping up could drive the next wave. They are different flavors of omicron, but eerily alike - adorned with a similar combination of mutations. Each new subvariant seems to outdo the last in its ability to dodge immune defenses. washingtonpost.com

Airbnb CEO: Dangerous part of remote work isn't lost productivity-it's loneliness

Mass. courts still digging out from backlog of cases post-COVID-19 pandemic


Advertisement

 



4,700+ Workers Killed on the Job in 2020 - 340 Deaths Each Day
How tech can help lower those numbers

Using AI-Driven Cameras to Increase Safety at Facilities

Using automation to scan for potential issues, allows safety profession to focus on high-value decisions.

An AI software system integrated with a camera can view hours of footage without losing focus. It's able to spot activities and behaviors that could become safety problems and send an alert to a safety manager so accidents can be prevented.

The technology uses computer vision and artificial intelligence to capture and interpret rich media content like video and still images. And the good news is that many companies already have cameras installed so the software can be easily integrated.

A much more efficient and safer way to use the cameras is to let AI constantly scan the facility and alert safety teams when it discovers an abnormality. AI is actively always looking and only when certain types of conditions develop does the system alert the safety teams. This way humans can focus on high-value decisions, instead of spending time monitoring for incidents.

Preventing injuries, which has always been the top priority of safety directors, continues to be a severe issue. A recent report released by the AFL-CIO, The Toll of Neglect, 2022, released the following statistics:

Every day, 340 workers died from hazardous workplaces.
More than 4,700 workers were killed on the job.
An estimated 120,000 workers died from occupational diseases.
The fatality rate in the workplace was 3.4 per 100,000 workers.

So, any type of technology that would help lower these numbers is welcome. Furthermore, the message of improved safety systems improves a company's culture as well. "Knowing that your employer takes safety seriously contributes to an employee's satisfaction with their company," says Amrite. ehstoday.com

Will the FTC Sue to Stop Kroger-Albertsons Deal?
Analysis: Kroger, Albertsons spin-off is extra ammunition in regulatory battle
Kroger Co and Albertsons Cos Inc are willing to divest up to 650 supermarket stores to secure regulatory clearance for their $24.6 billion deal, but if they cannot find buyers they have an unusual spin-off structure up their sleeves.

The two largest U.S. operators of stores dedicated to groceries said on Friday they may divest some stores by placing them in a new company that will be owned by Albertsons shareholders. They said the spun-off company could have between 100 and 375 stores.

The structure is intended to give the companies a stronger hand in negotiations with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the U.S. regulator that can sue to block the deal if it believes it will be detrimental to consumers at a time of rampant price inflation.

FTC Challenges

The FTC, under Chair Lina Khan, has sued to block six mergers in the past year, sometimes successfully. Khan, an appointee of U.S. President Joe Biden and former law professor, has been highly skeptical of the purported benefits of big mergers to consumers and has criticized the FTC's handling of Albertsons' previous deal with Safeway. reuters.com

Robots: The Secret Weapon to Stop Unions?
Baristas in SF went on strike. Their robot co-workers went right on serving.

"Unions increase wages ... and they make automation more attractive"

For three days last month, 1,000 food-service workers at SFO went on strike over wages and working conditions. During the walkout, not a food-service creature was stirring at SFO - except, that is, for the robots serving up espressos and green-tea lattes at two automated coffee kiosks with the ominous name Cafe X.

According to new data from the International Federation of Robotics, the United States got 35,000 new industrial robots in 2021 - up 14% from 2020, though still off the pre-pandemic peak of 40,000 in 2018. The food-and-beverage sector increased its robot purchases by 25% last year.

Even if the robots never take over, the mere threat represented by their rising numbers can still have an impact. "Unions increase wages, and when they increase wages they make automation more attractive," says Daron Acemoglu, an economist at MIT who worked on that calculation of robots' effect on wages and employment. "Employers, especially if they are locked into a conflictual relationship with unions, view automation as a way of reducing unions' power."

Even without a robot apocalypse, management might try to use machines to steamroller labor. "Once service robots become ubiquitous enough, you can use them for strikebreaking," Acemoglu says. businessinsider.com

Retailers' Holiday Wish: That Strapped Shoppers Will Spend
Retailers have navigated pandemic closures and supply chain snarls in recent years. But dealing with the fallout from inflation could be an even tougher test.

What September's retail sales mean for the holidays

Nestlé to Acquire Seattle's Best Coffee Brand From Starbucks
 



In Case You Missed it


Returnless Refunds: 4 Risks & How to Mitigate Them

By: Michele Marvin, Vice President of Marketing, Appriss Retail

Download Order Claims: A Growing Source of Ecommerce Fraud.


Advertisement


All the News - One Place - One Source - One Time
Thanks to our sponsors/partners - Take the time to thank them as well please.
If it wasn't for them The Daily wouldn't be here every day for you.


 
Advertisement

 

 


 




 

What is Retail Crime Intelligence?

 


Retail teams can no longer rely on traditional case and incident management systems to combat increasing crime and harm in stores. Small groups of people - or networks - actually cause most of the loss in stores. Networks are difficult to defeat, but when they are defeated it is wildly impactful for retail communities.

That's why Auror is pioneering Retail Crime Intelligence, the connected and intuitive way to not only report crime - but to fully close cases and prevent further events. If you want to learn more about Retail Crime Intelligence and how it's being used to address ORC (organized retail crime) around the world, here are some resources to start with.

What is Retail Crime Intelligence?

Retail Crime Intelligence is a software platform that connects people and organizations with timely intel to proactively reduce the impacts of crime in retail stores. It's used by Asset Protection / Loss Prevention departments alongside their store and security teams, law enforcement and trusted partners to identify and prevent the people driving their theft-related loss and harm.

Read more


Retail Crime Intelligence FAQs

Auror helps increase the visibility of crime in stores through the Auror feed, notifications, and dashboard intel. Reported incidents from the stores are immediately available to other team members and nearby stores via the Auror feed and notifications, so they can use that intel to safely prevent further crime. Additionally, intelligence on the people impacting your stores - and when and what they're likely to target - will help you target and prepare more effectively.

Read more


 

 


 


Advertisement
 

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Weekly Topic: Business Email Compromise

How to Protect Yourself

Be careful with what information you share online or on social media.

Don't click on anything in an unsolicited email or text message asking you to update or verify account information.

Carefully examine the email address, URL, and spelling used in any correspondence. Scammers use slight differences to trick your eye and gain your trust.

Be careful what you download. Never open an email attachment from someone you don't know, and be wary of email attachments forwarded to you.

Set up two-factor (or multi-factor) authentication on any account that allows it, and never disable it.

Learn more here about BEC here
 



The Massive Financial Cost of Phishing
Phishing Mitigation Can Cost Businesses More Than $1M Annually

One of the oldest tactics in cybercrime is still one of most widely feared - & with good reason, as campaigns are expected to increase & become more sophisticated

Phishing continues to represent not just a mainstay threat but also a significant cost to enterprises, with some large organizations with a robust IT and security staff spending $1.1 million per year to mitigate phishing attacks, new data shows.

Phishing-related security activities currently consume, on average, about one-third of the total time available to organizations' IT and security teams, according to a newly published report. A single malicious message costs organization an average of about 27 minutes and $31 in labor to mitigate, but can cost up to $85.33 if a company takes 60 minutes to eliminate the threat, researchers found.

This cost, combined with the consequences of successful phishing incidents - which include loss of account credentials, business email compromise, and data theft - means that about a third of organizations consider phishing to be either a "threat" or "extreme threat" to their businesses..

This situation is unlikely to improve anytime soon, as threat actors become even more sophisticated in how they craft phishing campaigns not only to hook enterprise workers, but also to make phishing emails harder to detect, the researchers found.

And while the shift to remote working that occurred during the pandemic lifted the burden of phishing slightly and led to a decline in this type of cybercrime activity over the 12 months previous to June 2022, the threat from phishing will soon be on the uptick again, the researchers found.

Enterprises should be on the alert and start preparing now to deal with imminent and "more sophisticated and pernicious" attacks - or expect to spend even more to handle phishing in the future, they said. darkreading.com

It's Young Workers Who Pose Biggest Cybersecurity Risk
Gen Z, Millennial Workers Are Bigger Cybersecurity Risks Than Older Employees

Younger workers surveyed are less likely to follow established business cybersecurity protocols than their Gen X and baby boomer counterparts, a new survey finds.

A new survey shows Generation Z and millennials, younger workers who have grown up as digital natives, are surprisingly more careless about their employer's cybersecurity than their senior Gen X and baby boomer colleagues.
Advertisement
According to Ernst & Young LLP's 2022 Human Risk in Cybersecurity survey, although 83% of workers in the US report they understand their company's cybersecurity policies, younger Gen Z and millennial workers are less likely to comply with them.

For instance, 48% of Gen Z and 39% of millennial employees confessed to being more cautious with their own devices compared to their work-issued devices; they also admitted to widely disregarding IT updates; reusing passwords for personal and professional accounts; and accepting browser cookies in far greater numbers than Gen X or baby boomer workers.

"This research should be a wake-up call for security leaders, CEOs and boards because the vast majority of cyber incidents trace back to a single individual," Tapan Shah, EY Americas' consulting cybersecurity leader, said in a statement. "There is an immediate need for organizations to restructure their security strategy with human behavior at the core. Human risk must be at the top of the security agenda, with a focus on understanding employee behaviors and then building proactive cybersecurity systems and a culture that educates, engages, and rewards everyone in the enterprise." darkreading.com

In Case You Missed It: Retail Cybersecurity Strategies from Interface Systems
Interface Systems Shares Best Practices with Retailers for Cybersecurity Month

Company highlights prevention strategies for securing POS, cloud-based applications, and mitigating loyalty program fraud

St. Louis, MO (October 4, 2022) - As retailers integrate their digital and physical shopping experiences to future-proof their business models, it's never been more important to be aware of the cybersecurity vulnerabilities that can be created by digital transformation. As cybersecurity awareness month becomes a focus of discussion in October, Interface Systems, a leading managed service provider delivering business security, managed network, UCaaS, and business intelligence solutions to distributed enterprises, shares best practices on how to prevent retail cyber-attacks and mitigate fraud.

Retail chains face a variety of security challenges, from connected POS (Point of sale) systems and devices to online ordering and delivery applications. Retailers' data lakes, which combine their customers' data with credit card information, make them particularly attractive targets for cybercriminals. The consequences of security lapses go beyond legal issues and often result in significant financial loss as customers lose confidence in the brand.

Read more strategies from Interface Systems here

MyDeal data breach impacts 2.2 million people
Australian online retail marketplace MyDeal has confirmed that it was the victim of a data breach that exposed the data of around 2.2 million customers.

Decentralized IT Means We Are All Cyber Defenders

CISA Offers Free RedEye Analytics Tool for Red Teams


Advertisement

 


 


Advertisement


 


Advertisement


Investigating Amazon Labor Practices with Drones & Spies
Unions are using drones and secret agents to investigate Amazon's labor practices

Labor groups are pursuing a multipronged strategy attacking Amazon as it fights union elections.

Campaigns to organize Amazon warehouse workers have grabbed national headlines. But labor is simultaneously attacking Amazon less overtly. Unions are needling the company with a barrage of regulatory complaints, fighting Amazon in local zoning meetings, digging deep through federal data to attack Amazon's safety record, and even using undercover spies and drones to gather evidence.

Experts say that pursuing a multipronged strategy against Amazon gives unions more chances to win. Those wins energize members, deepen ties with allies, and prove to Amazon and its workers that they should take unions seriously.

Spies and drones

For months, Ironworkers in western states gathered intelligence linking BZI Construction, the company Tanner worked for in Spokane, to the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a polygamist cult whose leaders have racked up allegations of wage theft and child-labor-law violations at companies they control.

Then the Ironworkers released footage, business records, and other information to regulators and the public, arguing that Amazon didn't adequately supervise who its developers and contractors hired to build its warehouses.

Steve Pendergrass, the president of the Ironworkers Northwest District Council, said that if Amazon's warehouses were instead built by union labor, the company wouldn't have to worry about being linked to a cult.

"We're trying to leverage what we can to get Amazon to do the right thing," he said. businessinsider.com


Another Amazon Warehouse Votes Against Unionization
Report: Amazon scores another victory in union vote
For the second time in the past five months, workers at an Amazon warehouse facility have voted against unionization.

According to CNBC, employees at an Amazon warehouse located in Albany, N.Y. voted almost two-to-one against joining the Amazon Labor Union. In May 2022, workers at an Amazon warehouse located in the New York City borough of Staten Island also voted overwhelmingly to reject forming a union.

CNBC reports that 206 employees at the Albany facility voted in favor of joining the union and 406 workers voted against. This means 612 of the 949 warehouse workers who were eligible to vote on whether they should become part of the Amazon Labor Union cast ballots, with four ballots voided. The results of the election still need to be certified by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

The vote was another setback for the independent Amazon Labor Union. In April 2022, the same union won an historic victory when workers at a larger Amazon warehouse near the Staten Island facility voted in favor of the union. chainstoreage.com


UK: NHS Losing Out on Staff to Amazon Warehouses, Says Union Boss


Advertisement

 


 

Advertisement


 


Advertisement
 

Schaumburg, IL: Schaumburg, Gurnee, Oak Brook crime: 10 arrested for shopping mall robberies
A new Illinois task force is cracking down on retail robberies at suburban shopping malls. On Tuesday, Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced recent arrests at several high-profile malls. One bust occurred at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg. Tiffany Kindred, 42, of New York, and Shaneka Monroe, 27, of New Jersey, were both arrested and found in possession of over $3,000 worth of stolen Apple merchandise, officials said. In addition, Amelia Smith, 33, of Palatine, and Arnold Misher, 28, of Chicago, were arrested for allegedly stealing items at The Gap at Woodfield Mall. Officials say even more stolen merchandise was discovered in their vehicle.

"We believe the combined efforts of our organizations will be a deterrent to people wishing to commit retail theft in our communities," said Schaumburg Police Chief Bill Wolf. The second bust was made at Gurnee Mills Mall in Gurnee, with the arrest of four armed and masked suspects - three of them were juveniles. "At Gurnee Mills Mall, law enforcement's quick thinking and keen observations led to the arrest of these dangerous individuals," said Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart. "The offenders have been detained on various weapon charges, and we will work to make sure the community is protected from them in the future."

Two stolen vehicles were also recovered from the armed offenders, officials said. In a third bust earlier this month, two individuals were arrested during an operation at Oak Brook Mall in Oak Brook. The suspects are being prosecuted by the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office. fox32chicago.com

Buncombe County, SC: Deputies recover over 4,000 stolen items from NC pawn shop
The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office announced that 14 people were recently charged after stolen items were found at a pawn shop in Arden. Deputies said more than 4,000 stolen items were recovered from Denny's Jewelry & Pawn. According to deputies, the items have mainly come from Home Depot, Lowe's, Target and Sportsman's Warehouse locations around Buncombe County. Specialists from those chains were reportedly able to identify the items. Deputies added that most of the items were found in the original packaging. Deputies believe the total value of the stolen items is around $125,000 to $150,000. Fourteen suspects have been charged with Organized Retail Theft. According to deputies, Lewis Sr. and Lewis Jr. were the owners of Denny's Jewelry and Pawn. Kenneth and Tammy Gates were employees at the store. "Thank you to Captain Tullis and her team in CID for the significant time and dedication they have put into this investigation to date," said Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller. wyff4.com

Collier County, FL: Trio arrested in credit card theft, fraud totaling more than $6K
Three people have been arrested in connection to a credit card fraud case in Collier County after a woman reported her wallet was stolen while she was shopping. The Naples Police Department says the investigation began when they responded to a Home Good on 9th Street North on October 10. Officers say the victim was shopping when they realized their wallet had been stolen from their purse, which was in her shopping cart. The victim told police she believed her wallet was stolen when she walked away from her cart to move bath mats that had been left on the ground in an aisle in front of her. An investigation into the theft found that the victim's credit cards had been used to buy $2,000 in gift cards and a $4,494 purse. winknews.com

Memphis, TN: Police searching for masked suspects accused of burglarizing City Gear store
Police are searching for four masked suspects who are accused of burglarizing a Raleigh City Gear early Monday morning. Officers responded to the Austin Peay location at 1:15 a.m., finding a broken store window. A City Gear representative made the scene and reviewed the store's surveillance video footage, which shows a white four-door Infiniti pulling up to the front of the store and four masked suspects getting out. Police say the suspects are then seen breaking the front window with a sledgehammer. Officers estimated approximately $5,500 in clothing was stolen.  actionnews5.com

Cumberland County, PA: Police arrest man involved in East Coast prescription fraud ring
Police say a forged prescription in Cumberland County last week led to the arrest of a man linked to an East Coast fraud ring. On Oct. 5, Newville Police were dispatched to the Big Spring Pharmacy for a prescription fraud call. When they arrived, officers took a report on a man named Yohanes Mulat Admasu, who entered the pharmacy with a prescription for 6.25 mg of Promethazine and 10 mg of Codeine/5 mL syrup. The quantity of this prescription was around 240 servings for 12 days. According to police, the written prescription alleged Admasu lived in Lemoyne, but the prescription was from a doctor in Washington D.C. Pharmacists noticed this detail and asked Admasu to come back in an hour to pick up his description, after which they contacted the police. However, Admasu did not return to the pharmacy.  fox43.com

Suffolk County, NY: Police seek $1500 Home Depot tool thief

Bloomington, IL: Bloomington Police looking for 3 in relation to $1200 theft



View ORC Archives

Case Goes Public?
Share it with the industry


Submit your ORC Association News


Visit ORC
Resource Center


Advertisement

 


 

Advertisement


 




Shootings & Deaths

Baton Rouge, LA: 19-year-old arrested in stabbing death at Airline Highway Valero station
A 19-year-old faces a charge of second-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of a man during an early-morning fight in a gas station parking lot, a Baton Rouge police spokesman said. Police on Tuesday arrested Francis Denixon Vasquez-Aguilar, of Baton Rouge, in the deadly attack at a Valero station on Airline Highway, BRPD spokesman Lt. Don Coppola said in a statement. He said Vasquez-Aguilar was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on a count of second-degree murder. theadvocate.com

Cleveland, OH: Cleveland Cell phone store employee suspect in murder
A 42-year-old North Royalton man was murdered outside a cell phone store on Cleveland's West Side Monday afternoon. Cleveland Police said Mohamad Qasem entered King Wireless on W. 25th Street around 3:40 p.m. According to officers, Qasem left the store with another man, got into a vehicle and drove towards the suspect, who police said works at King Wireless. Police said the suspect, who they are working to identify, then fired a shot in Qasem's vehicle, striking him. cleveland19.com

Aurora, CO: Colorado man faces 12 Counts of Attempted Murder following overnight shooting
Eugene Demetrius Robertson has been arrested and is facing more than 12 counts, including attempted murder, following an overnight shooting in Aurora, Colorado. Officers responded to an Aurora 7-Eleven at around 11:49 p.m. Monday after getting a tip of shots fired in the store. A clerk told responding officers an armed man had come into the store with a handgun and fired at least one round. As the suspect left the store, the employee said, the man got into a confrontation with another customer in the parking lot and more rounds were fired before he left the scene, according to police. No one was injured. While still at the 7-Eleven, officers learned the same suspect threatened someone with a gun at a Burger King across the street before he went to the 7-Eleven. While at this first scene, police gathered evidence and a description of the suspect's vehicle. courttv.com

Hall County, GA: Man arrested for shooting brother at Hall County C-Store
The man wanted for shooting his brother in front of a Hall County store on Monday evening has been arrested. Joseph Omar Mendoza, 30, was charged with criminal attempt to commit murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated assault with a firearm. fox5atlanta.com

 



Robberies, Incidents & Thefts

New Orleans, LA: 5 forced into McDonald's freezer at gunpoint by female Armed Robber
New Orleans police are investigating two business break-ins that happened a few blocks apart Monday night (Oct. 17). First, police say a woman with a handgun barged into the McDonald's at 2856 South Claiborne Ave., went behind the counter, and forced five people into a freezer just after 8 p.m. Investigators say the woman forced a manager to open the store's safe, grabbed the cash, and took off on foot. "This could have easily been much worse," says Rafael Goyeneche, president of the Metropolitan Crime Commission.  fox8live.com

New York, NY: Man Tries to Steal From Best Buy Before it Closes; Loss Prevention Pepper Sprayed
24-year-old Jordan Smith has been arrested for this incident and charged with robbery. The NYPD is hoping the public can help them locate an individual wanted for an attempted weekend theft. It took place at the soon-to-close Best Buy at 1880 Broadway on Saturday, October 15 at about 3:55 p.m. The suspect removed a laptop and attempted to pass all points of sale and exit the store, police said. A 30-year-old male employee confronted the suspect and was able to successfully recover the laptop, but the suspect (pictured below) then discharged pepper spray into his face before fleeing on foot. The employee refused medical attention. ilovetheupperwestside.com

Rancho Cucamonga, CA: Employee pistol-whipped, hospitalized after Jewelry store robbery
Two suspects committed an armed robbery at a jewelry store in Rancho Cucamonga and assaulted an employee, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. The incident occurred on Oct. 15 at about 2:40 p.m. at Gemma's Jewelers in the 10500 block of Foothill Boulevard. During the robbery, an employee was assaulted by one of the suspects, and was later treated and released from a local hospital. yahoo.com

St John's Bay, Canada: Grocery Store Loss Prevention assaulted during Robbery
A security guard at a grocery store in St. John's was assaulted after confronting a customer. The incident happened at about 8:30 p.m. Monday night. RNC say a man was attempting to steal merchandise when the loss prevention officer approached him. After a search of the area, police arrested a 60-year-old man. He has been charged with robbery with violence and breaching release conditions. vocm.com

New Orleans, LA: Rash of break-ins continue to plague New Orleans business owners
 



Fire/Arson

Minneapolis, MN: Minnesota man gets over 6 years for St. Paul arson cases
A Rochester man was sentenced to 78 months in prison Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022, in U.S. District Court for setting fire to multiple St. Paul buildings in May 2020. Jose Angel Felan Jr., 36, was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release by Senior Judge David S. Doty. He was also ordered to pay $39,028 in restitution. Felan pleaded guilty to one count of arson on Feb. 24, 2022. Felan had fled to Mexico to evade arrest, but was located and returned by Mexican authorities following an anonymous tip on Feb. 15, 2021. Felan was accused of setting fire to a Goodwill retail store, the Gordon Parks High School and the 7 Mile Sportswear store, all of which are on University Avenue in St. Paul, following nationwide unrest after the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police Office Derek Chauvin. duluthnewstribune.com

 

Advertisement

C-Store - Aurora, CO - Armed Robbery
C-Store - San Antonio, TX - Robbery
Clothing - San Francisco, CA - Burglary
Clothing - Memphis, TN - Burglary
Collectables - Erie, PA - Burglary
Dollar - Lehigh Acres, FL - Robbery
Electronics - New York, NY - Robbery
Electronics - Madison, WI -Robbery
Gas Station - Providence, RI - Armed Robbery
Jewelry - Rancho Cucamonga, CA - Armed Robbery
Jewelry - Lawrence, NY -Robbery
Jewelry - Annapolis MD - Robbery
Jewelry - Tukwila, WA - Robbery
Jewelry - Marysville, OH - Robbery
Jewelry - Waco TX - Robbery
Marijuana - Blythe, CA - Burglary
Pawn - Johnson City, TN - Burglary
Restaurant - New Orleans, LA - Armed Robbery
Restaurant - Jones, OK - Burglary
Restaurant - San Francisco, CA - Burglary
Restaurant - Aurora, CO - Armed Robbery
Restaurant - New Orleans, LA - Burglary
Restaurant - New Orleans, LA - Burglary

 

Daily Totals:
• 14 robberies
• 9 burglaries
• 0 shootings
• 0 killed



Click to enlarge map

Advertisement

 


 

Advertisement


 



Robert Hislar, CFI named District Loss Prevention Manager
for TJX Companies


Submit Your New Hires/Promotions or New Position

 


 

Advertisement


 

Advertisement



Featured Job Spotlights

 

An Industry Obligation - Staffing 'Best in Class' Teams

Every one has a role to play in building an industry.
Filled your job? Any good candidates left over?
Help your colleagues - your industry - Build 'Best in Class' teams.

Refer the Best & Build the Best
Quality - Diversity - Industry Obligation

 





Area Asset Protection Manager - New Jersey North
North New Jersey - posted October 11
In this role, you will embody Do The Right Thing by protecting People, Assets, and Brands. You will work in an energized, fast paced environment focused on creating a safe environment for our employees, teams, and customers; this is critical to driving our Brand Power, Enduring Customer Relationships, and exuding our commitment to Team and Values...




Division Loss Prevention and Safety Manager
Orlando, FL / Tampa, FL / Atlanta, GA - posted September 28
We're currently seeking a Division Loss Prevention and Safety Manager to join our Headquarters team! In this role you will oversee and champion initiatives and company programs, processes and controls that build a culture around continuous improvement in loss prevention safety, and security...




Field Loss Prevention Manager
Seattle, WA - posted September 27
The Field Loss Prevention Manager (FLPM) coordinates Loss Prevention and Safety Programs intended to protect Staples assets and ensure a safe work environment within Staples Retail locations. FLPM's are depended on to be an expert in auditing, investigating, and training...




Fraud Analyst
Baltimore, MD - posted September 20
The Digital Fraud Analyst plays a critical role in identifying and deterring card not present fraud. This role is responsible for decisioning on online orders placed on Under Armour's Mexico E-Commerce platform (UA.mx), and to protect the business from fraud and unauthorized transactions...




Asset Protection Coordinator
Multiple locations - Central New Jersey - posted September 12
In this role, you will embody Do The Right Thing by protecting People, Assets, and Brands. You will work in an energized, fast paced environment focused on creating a safe environment for our employees, teams, and customers; this is critical to driving our Brand Power, Enduring Customer Relationships, and exuding our commitment to Team and Values...




Regional Asset Protection Director
Blue Bell, PA - posted August 31
The principle purpose of the Regional AP and Safety Director is to provide leadership and oversight of the development, administration and maintenance of Lowe's loss prevention, safety and operations programs. This includes directing the day-to-day functions of the District AP and Safety Manager and working closely with Regional, District and Store leaders to establish and achieve safety, shrink, training, and operational objectives...




Sr. Manager, Brand & Asset Protection - West
Pacific Northwest or California - posted August 29
As the Senior Manager of Brand and Asset Protection for North America, you will part of an innovative Asset Protection team, whose mission is to prevent, identify and mitigate risks to our business. You will support with the creation of foundational asset protection programming and will lead its delivery to our North American store base...



Region AP Manager (Florida - Treasure Coast Market)
Jacksonville, FL - posted June 17
Responsible for managing asset protection programs designed to minimize shrink, associate and customer liability accidents, bad check and cash loss, and safety incidents for stores within assigned region. This position will develop the framework for the groups' response to critical incidents, investigative needs, safety concerns and regulatory agency visits...




Corporate Risk Manager
Seattle, WA / Tacoma, WA / Portland, OR - posted June 14
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....




Physical Security Operations Center Leader
Columbia, MD - posted June 8
The primary purpose of this role is to partner, lead and manage a Central Station/Physical Security Operations Center driving operational execution and enhancements to ensure effectiveness and a positive customer experience. This individual is also responsible for leading a team of operators providing professional and accurate responses...



Loss Prevention Specialists (Store Detective)
Albany, NY; Hyannis, MA; Burlington, VT; Hartford, CT
- posted May 6
Detect and respond to external theft and fraud by working undercover within the store(s) you are assigned to. Working as a team with store management and associates in combating loss in the store(s). Developing and analyzing external theft trends, utilizing information in company reports and information gathered from store management and associates...



Retail Asset Protection Associate
Medford, MA; Brockton, MA; East Springfield, MA - posted May 6
The Asset Protection Greeter role is responsible for greeting all customers as they enter the store, ensuring that customers see the Company's commitment to provide a safe and secure shopping environment, as well as deterring theft, shoplifting, or other dishonest activities...



 


Regional Loss Prevention Auditor
Multiple Locations - posted April 20
The Regional Loss Prevention Auditor (RLPA) is responsible for conducting operational audits and facilitating training meetings in our clients' locations. The audit examines operational controls, loss prevention best practices, and customer service-related opportunities.
..
 



Featured Jobs


To apply to any of today's Featured Jobs, Click Here



View Featured Jobs   |   Post Your Job
 

Advertisement


 



Being engaged in the business of your retailer is a critical element for every Loss Prevention executive. For decades, our industry has often been accused of being silo'ed and separate from the operators and the merchants. This separateness in many cases ultimately leads to a disconnect, a sense that we aren't part of the team. Which in actuality, regardless of your performance, it can lead to your job being eliminated or just you being replaced with someone new. So the real question is: How do you become engaged in the business and truly add value to the company's success beyond reducing shrink? And then having the courage to go make it happen. We all tend to stay in our comfort zones and remain safe. At least that's what we think. But at the end of the day, it's that comfort zone that can actually increase your risk. So the next time you're in a corporate meeting or traveling stores with your operators or merchants, go beyond with your comments and opinions - take a risk - add some value - help them run the business - you might be surprised.


Just a Thought,
Gus


We want to post your tips or advice... Click here

 


Not getting the Daily? Is it ending up in your spam folder?
Please make sure to add d-ddaily@downing-downing.com to your contact list, address book, trusted sender list, and/or company whitelist to ensure you receive our newsletter. 
Want to know how? Read Here

FEEDBACK    /    downing-downing.com    /    Advertise with The D&D Daily