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10/24/24	LP, AP & Cybersecurity's #1 News Source	D-Ddaily.net

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June 23-25, 2025

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The National Coalition of Law Enforcement and Retail Announces New Board of Directors Appointments

The Coalition of Law Enforcement and Retail (CLEAR) is pleased to announce the recruitment and nomination of several new members to its Board of Directors, marking an exciting step forward for the organization. With these strategic appointments, the Board is proud to share that all open roles have been filled, creating a dynamic and fully staffed leadership team.

The Board of Directors has unanimously elected the following individuals to key leadership positions:

Raul Aguilar - Senior Director - Law Enforcement Partnerships, Auror
Melissa Lauricello - Senior Manager of Asset Protection Investigations, Gap Inc.
Rich Rossman - Sergeant, Broward County Sheriff's Office
Christian Hardman - Supervisor of Criminal and Regulatory Investigations, eBay
Tom Meehan - Chief Executive Officer, CONTROLTEK
Kyle Woods - Director of Organized Retail Crime, Virginia Office of the Attorney General
Bill Corfield - Senior Manager of Field Investigations, Target
Kelly Hansen - Director of Organized Retail Crime, Macy's
Howard Mergler - Sergeant, Fairfax County Police Department

These talented leaders bring a wealth of experience and a shared vision for the future of CLEAR, setting the stage for impactful progress. Their diverse expertise, spanning both retail and law enforcement sectors, will be instrumental in advancing the coalition's mission to foster collaboration, improve investigative efforts, and drive legislative initiatives that benefit both sectors and public safety alike.

With every seat on the Board now filled, the Coalition is energized to move forward with zero vacancies, ensuring that no opportunity is left unmet in advancing the strategic initiatives that will shape the years ahead.

The Coalition of Law Enforcement and Retail extends its heartfelt congratulations to all the newly elected members and looks forward to working closely with them to continue its mission of promoting best practices, enhancing security, and strengthening relationships between law enforcement and retail partners.

This exciting new chapter marks a renewed focus on innovation, advocacy, and proactive engagement, and the organization is eager to embark on this journey with its fully staffed Board leading the way.

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"This announcement marks a significant milestone for CLEAR as we welcome a dynamic group of leaders to our Board of Directors. Each individual brings unique skills and perspectives that will be crucial in driving our mission forward. With a fully staffed Board, we are better positioned than ever to enhance collaboration between law enforcement and retail, tackle emerging challenges, and implement strategic initiatives. I'm excited to see the impact this team will have as we work together to create safer environments and foster stronger partnerships." - John 'JC' Clark, Executive Director, CLEAR

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"We are excited to welcome this talented group of leaders to our Board of Directors. Their collective expertise will play a critical role in advancing CLEAR's mission of fostering collaboration between retail and law enforcement. With every seat on the Board now filled, we are well-positioned to drive key initiatives and continue making a meaningful impact in the years ahead. This is a pivotal moment for our organization, and I look forward to the great work we will accomplish together." - Jason Davies, VP of Retail, CLEAR

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

Today is Fight Retail Crime day!

Organized retail crime continues to negatively impact the economy, businesses and communities across the country.

Join the fight TODAY on Fight Retail Crime Day:

• Advocate for policies that promote community safety and address the rising threat of retail crime such as the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act.

• Take a deep dive at 1 p.m. ET during a webinar on the current state of retail crime and learn how to advocate for solutions to combat organized retail crime.

• Post on LinkedIn to spread awareness and unite your network on the importance of combating retail crime.

• Recognize lawmakers who support retail as Retail Crime Fighters.

• Engage policymakers through NRF Store Tours to provide firsthand insights into the effects of organized retail crime, theft and violence on our communities.

Together, we can push for meaningful solutions to address retail crime together.

The U.S. Crime Surge
The Retail Impact

Collaboration is Key to Fighting ORC
NRF: How to fight back against organized retail crime

Retail Gets Real episode 366: Representative Glenn Ivey and JCPenney's Angela Hofmann talk organized retail crime and how to combat it

Ivey and Angela Hofmann, head of government relations for JCPenney, join Retail Gets Real to talk about what organized retail crime means, what it's like to collaborate with law enforcement, prosecutors and the retail industry, and how the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act is working to counteract this insidious trend.

The power of collaboration

Fighting back against organized groups requires its own organization. That's why law enforcement, prosecutors and retailers are coming together to enact change.

"There's power in collaboration to understand the trends and the categories that they're going after and the means and methods that they're working together to execute these crimes," Hofmann says. "So I think we're just seeing more visibility to it."

Working to pass the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act

Part of those efforts to increase collaboration and awareness is the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (S. 140/H.R. 895), a bill that Ivey co-sponsored.

"The benefit is the coordination," Ivey says. "A lot of times you'll have these criminal acts going on in different jurisdictions and sometimes there are challenges in making sure that law enforcement in one area understands what's going on in other places as well."

Ivey also believes the bill helps with prosecutions. "If you can show that it's an ongoing criminal enterprise and that tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been lost due to these particular groups and their activities, I think it makes for stronger cases," he says. "I think it leads to judges being more serious about them, especially when you get to a sentencing phase."

Hofmann is already noticing the bill's impact. "We're already seeing where we're able to aggregate, bring together teams," she says. "We are getting prosecutions on the book." nrf.com

Did a "Shoplifting Reduction Initiative" Force Confessions?
Inside the controversial program that 'forced confessions' from shoplifters in this N.J. city
A police department in a New Jersey city routinely asked people suspected or arrested for shoplifting to sign confessions and agree to be banned from nearly a dozen downtown stores, an unusual policy state public defenders and the ACLU say violated their rights.

The practice in East Orange - called the "Shoplifting Reduction Initiative" - was revoked by the city days after NJ Advance Media asked about it, according to municipal e-mails obtained by the news organization. It had been in place for at least five years, dating back to 2019, according to the emails.

Those suspected of shoplifting were given a form, obtained by NJ Advance Media, that says: "I acknowledge that I committed, or attempted to commit, an unlawful act such as Shoplifting, Simple Assault, Disorderly Conduct, Harassment, or Criminal Mischief at this location."

The form was given to those who were stopped, detained or arrested on suspicion of shoplifting. The names of those suspected were also put into a database, according to the emails.

It said those who signed the form were prohibited from entering or being on the property of 10 stores in the commercial district, including ShopRite, Walgreens, Forman Mills, Family Dollar and 7-Eleven. The form says they should understand that if caught at these locations, they "can and will be Arrested for Trespassing ... and be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."

A whistleblower within the police department contends the initiative was aimed at mostly the poor and homeless, and people were often pressured to sign without the presence of a lawyer or notification of their legal rights. According to the whistleblower and documents obtained by NJ Advance Media, identities of those shoplifters were entered into a police database.

The source said suspected shoplifters were either given the form by police when they were detained by store security or were approached on the street by officers. Those who didn't sign could be threatened with arrest on a more serious charge, the source said. nj.com

The Link Between Retail Crime & Drug Addiction
Retail theft and addictions: A second shot to break the cycle
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office said many retail thefts, sadly, are also tied directly to drug addictions.

Joel Yager, director of drug and alcohol rehabilitation for the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, said we have been in the throes of an opioid crisis for several years. He said it seems to be impacting everything in society.

"From marriages to domestic violence to, obviously, drug crimes, but also like petit larceny, like the big box stores, retail theft goes sky high," he said.

That retail theft is hitting stores and store owners hard. Sam Lentine runs Flower City Produce at the Rochester Public Market. He's seen his fair share of thieves come, take, and go - and come back again. A larger concern for him is for the safety of his employees.

"There is a lack of consequences," Yager said of the current laws. "Now they'll go and get arraigned and released that day."

Yager said for those who want the help, they are often given a chance to rise above their dependencies while serving time. Daniel Skillo is an inmate at the jail. His problems first started with alcohol. "(Then), unfortunately, I got hooked on crack cocaine," he said.

That led to stealing money and goods, all to supply his habit. Since he's been locked up, though, he's come a long way, thanks to the recovery programs. He compared the services to a 12-step program. 13wham.com

'Prolific' Gangs Targeting UK Retail Shops
'I lie awake at night worrying about shoplifters'
Shopkeepers say "prolific" gangs are increasingly to blame for theft in their stores, despite a promise from police to tackle the issue. Susan Connolly, co-owner of Spar in Pewsey and Tidworth, Wiltshire, said she lies awake at night wondering if her shop will be "targeted next" after the Pewsey store was broken into in January 2024.

Organised groups will "ransack" stores at night and take goods they can sell such as cigarettes, alcohol and vapes, she added. Phillip Wilkinson, Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, said tackling shoplifting is "a key focus" in his Police and Crime Plan.

Project Pegasus, launched in October last year, was aimed at disrupting criminal networks and getting a better understanding of their tactics. However, trade bodies representing high street stores say gangs are becoming more calculated.

Sarah Bird, from the National Business Crime Solution, said they have seen one particular crime group, dubbed 'the champagne gang', striking across the country. "They work as a team in stores. Certain members will act as a lookout, and they will use Bluetooth headsets to communicate with each other.

"They'll set the alarms off to try and distract from the actual theft," she added. Ms Bird says these particular individuals are from Eastern Europe, and based on "vehicle movements", are believed to be selling the stolen goods in Romania.

Ms Connolly has taken matters into her own hands by installing smoke screens, alarm systems, facial recognition cameras and cigarette vending machines. In addition to the financial losses, Ms Connolly said her staff are left feeling "uneasy and unsafe" at work. bbc.com

Top 5 Safest Cities in America
Study Reveals Safest Cities in the US (2024)

Survey ranks cities on risks such as natural disasters and community safety.

Threats to safety in the U.S. come in many forms, from public health crises and natural disasters to mass shootings and traffic accidents. Aside from the types of hazards that can cause physical harm, taking out an unaffordable second mortgage, forgoing health insurance or even falling victim to identity theft are also ways people run into danger. One big worry for many people right now is the cost of inflation, which threatens Americans' financial safety.

No one can avoid all danger, however, and we take on a certain level of risk based on where we choose to live. Some cities are simply better at protecting their residents from harm. To determine where Americans can feel most secure, WalletHub compared more than 180 cities across 41 key indicators of safety. Our data set ranges from traffic fatalities and assaults per capita to the unemployment rate and the percentage of the population that is uninsured.

Top 5 Safest Cities in the U.S.

1. South Burlington, VT
2. Casper, WY
3. Warwick, RI
4. Burlington, VT
5. Boise, ID wallethub.com

Fact check: Crime Stats Still Show a Decline Since 2020

Trump and Harris make widely different claims on crime. Here's what the data shows

More Details from Retail CEO's Sex-Trafficking Arrest
Ex-Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries arrested on sex trafficking, prostitution charges

Federal prosecutors say Jeffries leveraged his position at the apparel retailer, including promising men modeling jobs, to further the alleged crimes.

Mike Jeffries, who was CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. from 1992 through 2014, was arrested Tuesday and has been charged with 16 counts of sex trafficking and interstate prostitution, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of New York. The allegations span from 2008 to 2015 and involve two other defendants, including Jeffries' romantic partner.

Jeffries' alleged crimes and leadership of the apparel retailer have been linked, with prosecutors saying he leveraged his "power as the CEO of Abercrombie" to run these enterprises and keep them secret, according to the indictment filed Oct. 17 and unsealed Tuesday.

Specifically, prosecutors allege that men, including at least one as young as 19, were led "to believe that attending the Sex Events could yield modeling opportunities with Abercrombie or otherwise benefit their careers" or that not complying to certain acts could harm their opportunities with Abercrombie.

"Powerful individuals for too long have trafficked and abused, for their own sexual pleasure, young people with few resources and a dream, a dream of securing a successful career in fashion or entertainment," EDNY's U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said during a press conference Tuesday. "To anyone who thinks they can exploit and coerce others by using the so-called casting-couch system, this case should serve as a warning - prepare to trade that couch for a bed in federal prison."

The incidents and behavior outlined in the indictment were brought to law enforcement's attention via media reports, Peace said. The investigation is ongoing, and Peace and FBI officials urged other victims or people with knowledge of the matter to come forward. retaildive.com

RFID's Retail Expansion Continues
Kroger to automate inventory management with RFID
The Kroger Co. is aiming for item-level digital identification in its stores.

The grocery conglomerate is working with Avery Dennison to deploy the vendor's RFID-based inventory automation technology in its stores. Rollout is slated to begin in the bakery department, where RFID-embedded labels will be implemented on each individual product.

As a result, Kroger hopes to achieve significant time savings, as well as collect data that will enable it to identify each bakery item utilizing RFID technology. In turn, the grocer intends this capability to let it develop a more seamless customer and associate experience across all fresh categories in the long term.

"Kroger's customers and associates are at the heart of everything we do," said Jordan Poff, VP of retail operations at Kroger. "Our work with Avery Dennison will improve inventory visibility, which means products will be on the shelves when our customers want them, while enabling our associates to spend more time with our customers."

Kroger also expects RFID-enabled, item-level digital identification to produce more frequent and accurate inventory information which will maximize product freshness and reduce waste. chainstoreage.com

Job Cuts Coming at Beyond Inc.
Beyond to lay off 20% of workforce

Chief Product Officer Carlisha Robinson was terminated without cause Tuesday, according to a regulatory filing.

Beyond Inc. plans to lay off 20% of its workforce, the company disclosed in an 8K filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday. Most of the job cuts will be implemented in the upcoming fourth quarter, the company said in the regulatory document.

Additionally, Chief Product Officer Carlisha Robinson was terminated without cause on Tuesday as part of the workforce reduction, the company said. She was appointed chief customer officer in March. Conditions of Robinson's termination entitles her to severance benefits, the company said.

Beyond estimates the job cuts will result in annualized reduction of fixed costs by about $20 million. "These actions were taken to strategically create a more variable, leverageable cost structure and create a more streamlined organization to align to its asset-light business that supports an affinity and data monetization model with a strong technology focus," the company said in the SEC filing. retaildive.com

Let the ghoul times roll: Why retailers love Halloween

Will Gift Cards Dominate the 2024 Holiday Season?

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New Tag Recirculation Program Launched by Prosegur and Pact Retail Accessories, Promising to Make EAS Programs More Efficient and Help Retailers Reach their ESG Goals

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (October 21, 2024) - Prosegur Security, a global leader in security technology, has formed a new partnership with Pact Retail Accessories, a global leader in sustainability solutions, to launch a new EAS tag recirculation program for U.S. retailers. The program aims to help retailers make their electronic article surveillance (EAS) program more efficient, protect more merchandise from shoplifting, reduce plastic waste, and help retailers achieve their ESG (Environmental, Social and corporate Governance) goals more easily.

"Our new EAS recirculation program will enable retailers to reuse their EAS tags more easily and efficiently by having them quickly move used tags from the point of sale at the retail store back to the point of manufacture overseas or distribution center in the U.S.," said Matt Sack, CEO of Prosegur's global retail business unit. "This next-level source tagging will enable retailers to extend the lifespan of their tags, maximizing their investment into EAS and reducing costs as well as reducing plastic waste."

Rather than having the retail associates sort, inspect and reapply tags to new merchandise in the store, the new program will allow store associates to simply place removed tags, pins and lanyards in a box without the need to sort them, and ship the box back to Prosegur and Pact's sorting facilities. The tags, pins and lanyards are sorted, inspected, cleaned, and repackaged, then shipped quickly to the manufacturer (or the retailer's distribution facility) anywhere in the world to be reapplied on new merchandise. When the new merchandise arrives at the retail location, the tags are already on and can be placed on the sales floor more quickly.

"The EAS tag recirculation program eliminates the need for store associates to sort and reapply tags, thus freeing up their time for more productive tasks like serving shoppers," said Nancy Justice, SVP, North America, Pact Retail Accessories. "The program also helps to extend the life of EAS tags, reducing the need to buy new tags. And, because new merchandise then arrives to stores already tagged at the source, this can ensure that all stores have properly protected merchandise, reducing the problems that can stem from non-compliance by individual stores with the LP rules and guidelines."

According to Sack and Justice, by extending the lifespan of an average EAS tag, Prosegur and Pact Retail Accessories will help retailers reduce the amount of plastics ending up in landfills. This also helps retailers achieve their ESG goals.

More information about this new program can be obtained at both Prosegur's & Pact Retail Accessories websites respectively.

AI 'Will Disrupt Every Part of Business Strategy'
4 ways AI could impact employees, workflows: Gartner

Technology leaders can expect AI to continue to raise questions around workforce shifts, privacy procedures and security techniques.

Though enterprises will continue to adjust workflows to better embrace generative AI, the technology isn't going anywhere, anytime soon. AI will disrupt every part of business strategy, said Daryl Plummer, distinguished VP analyst at Gartner, during the firm's IT Symposium/Xpo Tuesday.

CIOs have struggled this year to reach AI goals as they address complex data challenges and manage ballooning costs.

With the fast pace of innovation, it is challenging to accurately anticipate AI's impacts, Plummer said. Around 75% to 80% of the firm's past predictions have come true, according to Gartner.

Here are four predictions on the future of AI pulled from Gartner's top 10 list:

1. Through 2026, 1 in 5 organizations will flatten their organizational structure through AI, eliminating more than half of current middle management positions.

2. By 2027, 70% of employee contracts will include licensing and fair usage clauses for AI representations of their personas.

3. By 2028, one-quarter of enterprise breaches will be traced back to AI agent abuse, from external and malicious internal actors.

4. By 2029, 1 in 10 global boards will use AI guidance to challenge material executive decisions. cybersecuritydive.com

Fighting Emerging Cyber Threats
Effective strategies for measuring and testing cyber resilience
In this Help Net Security interview, Detective Superintendent Ian Kirby, CEO of the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group (NCRCG), discusses the emerging cyber threats and strategies organizations can use to increase cyber resilience. He emphasizes basic cyber hygiene, security awareness training, multi-factor authentication, and stakeholder involvement at all levels in building a resilient organizational culture.

What are the most significant emerging cyber threats organizations should prioritize when developing resilience strategies?

There are a myriad of ways cyber attacks can be committed and tactics are continuing to develop as technology becomes ever more sophisticated. However, the most common attack methodologies still rely on compromised credentials, either through previous data breaches, default settings or phishing attacks. As such, basic cyber hygiene can protect from the majority of cyber threats.

By rolling out security awareness training (SAT) across an organization, staff can learn to question the veracity of emails and websites. SAT is one of the most sought-after cyber resilience services delivered through our talent pipeline, Cyber PATH, and something businesses are increasingly contacting our network about.

Likewise, by enforcing multi-factor authentication across an organization, it will ensure that even if an email and password is compromised it doesn't unlock access to the organization's systems. helpnetsecurity.com

Mobile Apps With Millions of Downloads Expose Cloud Credentials

Popular titles on both Google Play and Apple's App Store include hardcoded and unencrypted AWS and Azure credentials in their codebases or binaries, making them vulnerable to misuse by threat actors.

Several widely used mobile apps, some with millions of downloads, expose hardcoded and unencrypted credentials to cloud services within their code bases, researchers from Symantec have found. This potentially allows anyone with access to the app's binary or source code to extract the credentials to exploit cloud infrastructure for misuse.

Popular apps for both Android and iPhone devices include credentials for either Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure Blog Storage within their code, Symantec revealed in a blog post this week. And they're found on each device platform's respective official mobile app store: Google Play and Apple's App Store. darkreading.com

Evolving cloud threats: Insights and recommendations

SEC settles charges with 4 firms it says downplayed SolarWinds hack exposure

In Case You Missed It

Sapphire Celebrates 10 Years of Success

Sapphire is thrilled to celebrate our 11th anniversary with you!

Over the past decade and more, Sapphire has proudly served the security needs of countless businesses across the cannabis, pawn, and jewelry industries -- and beyond.

As they reflect on this milestone, Sapphire extends their deepest gratitude to their clients, partners, and team members who have been instrumental in this journey.

Here's to continued growth and success together!

Key for the Cannabis Industry
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)
Have you ever wondered why lights are kept on at businesses at night? Why are fences common among neighborhoods? Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) optimizes the layout and design of a space to increase security. CPTED (pronounced "sep-ted") is a proactive approach to security that began around 1960-1970, stemming from the works of writers Elizabeth Woods and Jane Jacobs, criminologist Ray Jeffery, and architect Oscar Newman. The relationship between urban development and illegal activities came into question, and a desire to deter crime through environmental design was explored. Natural surveillance, natural access control, territorial reinforcement, and maintenance and management became the four original pillars of CPTED.

1. Natural Surveillance

Natural surveillance is all about visibility. By eliminating hiding spaces and opting for a more open environment, natural surveillance places accountability with the community. If something or someone seems suspicious, it is up to the community to report their observations. Criminals are less likely to commit a crime when their chances of being seen are multiplied.

2. Natural Access Control

Intentional use of shrubbery, trees, and fences to regulate the flow of traffic through admission points is an example of natural access control. Similarly, the fewer number of access points (i.e. entrances, exits, windows, etc.) into a facility is best. Limiting these kinds of pathways with barriers deters criminals who are looking for the quickest way to enter and escape.

3. Territorial Reinforcement

Territorial reinforcement is another way of setting boundaries through the use of design. Boundaries can clarify what an area is used for, and who you would expect to see come and go. Design can communicate that an area is cared for and monitored through visual cues such as manicured shrubbery and outdoor seating. An area that insinuates pride of ownership sends a "hands-off" message to intruders. It is obvious to an onlooker who should or should not be on the property.

4. Maintenance and Management

CPTED's maintenance and management pillar is loosely based on James Wilson and George Kelling's theory of "Broken Windows". This 1982 theory proposes that an unmaintained and disorderly area, such as a broken window left in disrepair, equals an area that is of no importance. In other words, the area appears to be neglected and would attract acts of crime. Maintenance and management encourage upholding clean standards. sapphirerisk.com

$100K Cannabis Store Break-In
'Very organized' thieves take $100,000 worth of dispensary product
Around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 19, security camera footage from Herb Depot in Independence showed two people breaking through the glass door and over the security gate. The thieves would only be in the store for around five minutes, but they'd leave with around $100,000 in products.

"What do you do?" asked Herb Depot owner Reed Smith. "Five minutes is nothing. The cops can't even show up in 5 minutes. There's no way." He says that he didn't find out that his store had been robbed until he woke up on Saturday morning.

Smith says that he hopes his insurance company will cover some of the cost. However, he thinks it will be a fraction of what was stolen and the impact will be detrimental. "It's going to hurt my business, it's going to slow everything down, it's going to give an image to this area as well," he said. fox4kc.com

(Update) Multnomah DA: Shooting at Portland cannabis store wasn't self-defense
Portland cannabis store employee was charged last week with murder for shooting two armed robbers. But according to the district attorney's office, it wasn't self-defense. On Thursday, 34-year-old Jason Steiner pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon. In recently released court documents, the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office claims Steiner was in no danger when he pulled the trigger. According to the DA, Steiner told police he was held at gunpoint by three armed men on Oct. 3 at the La Mota dispensary in the 9400 block of North St. Louis Avenue where he was working alone. He told police he let the men take what they wanted and then Steiner says he left the store with a gun hidden in a bag. He told investigators that he walked around the outside of the building and looked inside through the drive-up window, then opened fire on the men, who he believed were still holding their weapons. kptv.com

Smoke shop employee shot in the face by attempted robbers in Koreatown

Gov. Newsom Vetoes "Cannabis Famers Market" Bill, But Holds Out Hope for Home Growers

It's Official
A federal ban on fake online reviews is now in effect

The FTC has prohibited the sale or purchase of testimonials, including those generated by AI.

Be warned, online merchants who see no issue in publishing phony reviews from made-up customers: that practice is no longer allowed. A federal ban on fake online reviews has taken effect.

The Federal Trade Commission issued a final rule on the purchase and sale of online reviews back in August and it came into force 60 days after it was published in the Federal Register. The agency's commissioners voted unanimously in favor of the regulation.

The rule bans businesses from creating, buying or selling reviews and testimonials attributed to people who don't exist, including those that are AI generated. False celebrity endorsements aren't allowed and companies can't pay or otherwise incentivize genuine customers to leave positive or negative reviews.

Certain reviews and testimonials written by people who have close ties with a company without a disclaimer is a no-no. There are restrictions on soliciting reviews from close relatives of employees too.

The rule includes limitations on the suppression of negative reviews from customers. It also prohibits people from knowingly selling or buying fake followers and views to inflate the influence or importance of social media accounts for commercial purposes.

Fines for violating these measures could prove extremely costly. The maximum civil penalty for each infraction is currently $51,744. engadget.com

Fayette County couple says Amazon driver ripped paneling off house after delivering package
On Tuesday, a Fayette County couple learned they could be on the hook for $50,000 in damages after they said an Amazon driver ripped the paneling off their house upon delivering a package. "It was terrifying because it sounded like the whole wall was going to come down," said Melody Manzueta. Manzueta said the driver snagged a phone cord power line connected to her house while reversing out of her driveway last week. She provided home surveillance video that showed the paneling ripping off the house.

Manzueta said the driver stopped and apologized to them before calling his supervisors. She filed a claim. On Tuesday, she showed Atlanta News First the company response that her claim had been denied. "We appreciate Atlanta News First for bringing this issue to our attention this afternoon. We're currently investigating and will work directly with the customer to assist," said Austin Stowe, Amazon spokesperson. Atlanta News First reached out to Amazon and the company said Manzueta's initial claim had insufficient evidence. atlantanewsfirst.com

Amazon Prime members can save 10 cents a gallon at 7,000 stations across the U.S.

Chancellor considers Amazon tax in bid to boost British high streets

Nashville, TN: Suspects allegedly steal more than $1M worth of jewelry from store along Nolensville Pike
Authorities are investigating after robbers allegedly held a jewelry store employee at gunpoint Wednesday morning in the Woodbine area, reportedly taking more than $1 million in accessories. According to Metro Nashville Dispatch, the incident unfolded at approximately 10 a.m. at a jewelry store in the 3900 block of Nolensville Pike. At the scene, the store's owner told News 2 that two people came into the building browsing for jewelry, and about five minutes later, a man entered the store and held two employees at gunpoint. The store owner added that the suspects deployed pepper spray, pushed employees into a back room and made it out of the building with possibly up to $1.5-1.7 million in jewelry. aol.com

Minneapolis, MN: Delta Air Employee Charged With Selling Tens of Thousands of Dollars of Stolen Airline Property On eBay
A Delta Air Lines employee based in Minneapolis has been charged with stealing tens of thousands of dollars worth of airline property, which he then sold on eBay, following an investigation by the airline's internal security department. Investigators launched a probe after identifying an eBay account that was selling Delta property, including inventory that was intended as employee gifts, that had been reported as missing. 40-year-old Ahmad Ali Harfoush from Burnsville, Minnesota, faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a $100,000 fine if he is found guilty of felony theft following his arrest earlier this year. paddleyourownkanoo.com

Los Angeles, CA: 4 arrested, accused of running retail crime ring in Orange and LA counties

Portland, OR: Liquor store in Wilsonville robbed of $25K worth of high-end merchandise

Beachwood, OH: Five girls arrested for stealing $730 worth of goods from three mall stores

Burbank, CA: Thieves caught on video stuffing their skirts with merchandise at Burbank store

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Shootings & Deaths

Kansas City, MO: Man fatally shot, another injured inside convenience store
One man is dead and another injured following a shooting at a Kansas City convenience store Wednesday afternoon, police said. Officers with the Kansas City Police Department responded to Indiana Market & Deli at 3646 Indiana Ave. around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday on reports of a shooting, according to officer Alayna Gonzalez, a KCPD spokesperson. Upon responding, officers discovered a man unresponsive on the floor of the store with gunshot wounds, Gonzalez said. Emergency medical personnel declared the man deceased. kansascity.com

Charleston, WV: Update: Teenager sentenced to life in prison for a tobacco shop robbery and murder
A Charleston teenager charged with killing a tobacco shop clerk in January is getting sentenced to life behind bars. Bre'Jaun Williams-Hampton, 14, pleaded guilty in September to first-degree felony murder after he, along with another 14-year-old, went into Tobacco and Pipe Shop on 7th Avenue in Charleston on January 30, robbing the store before fatally shooting the 19-year-old shop attendant Caden Martin. State prosecutors say Martin did everything he was asked to do in the course of the armed robbery leading up to his death, opening up the register, keeping his hands up, and complying. wvmetronews.com

Milwaukee, WI: Update: Man charged in liquor store shooting told police he was upset about his pizza order
The man charged with fatally shooting a Milwaukee liquor store worker Saturday said he did it because he was upset about his pizza order. That's according to a criminal complaint from the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office. Charles J. Leggett, 38, of Milwaukee, is charged with first-degree reckless homicide, with the use of a dangerous weapon, and possessing a firearm as an out-of-state felon. The worker who died, with a single gunshot wound to the chest, was Jamil I. Owais, a 26-year-old Palestinian immigrant and a new father. His family said he was watching the shop, Action Food and Liquor, for about half an hour Saturday for his brother, who owns the business. jsonline.com

Los Angeles County, CA: Update: Security Guard Convicted of Second-Degree Murder in Store Shooting
A Covina man who worked as a private security guard was convicted Wednesday of second-degree murder stemming from a man's shooting death during a confrontation inside a Walgreens store in Hollywood nearly six years ago. Jurors deliberated just over two days before acquitting Donald Vincent Ciota, now 34, of the more serious charge of first-degree murder requested by the prosecution for the Dec. 2, 2018, killing of 21-year-old Jonathan Hart. Ciota - who has remained behind bars since he was arrested by Los Angeles police 26 days after the shooting - is due back in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom Dec. 9 for sentencing.
He is facing a 15-year-to-life state prison sentence, according to prosecutors. mynewsla.com

Atlanta, GA: Walmart employees arrested after allegedly firing shots in store parking lot, Newton County deputies say
Two employees of a Walmart in Newton County were arrested after allegedly firing shots during an argument in the store parking lot Wednesday, according to the sheriff's office. Newton County deputies said they responded to shots fired in the parking lot of the Walmart on Salem Road in the Covington area. The sheriff's office said it was an isolated incident involving an altercation between two Walmart employees, resulting in no injuries. Deputies arrested 42-year-old Eric Webb and 47-year-old Howard Williams, both of Covington, on charges of aggravated assault, reckless conduct, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. The investigation into the incident is ongoing. atlantanewsfirst.com

Memphis, TN: Man accused of shooting victim outside of grocery store during robbery attempt
The Memphis Police Department has arrested and charged a man accused of shooting a victim outside of a grocery store. On October 16, officers responded to a shooting call at the Very Lucky Green Food Mart on North Watkins Street. When they arrived, they discovered that a victim at the back of the grocery store was suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers initially spoke with the victim, who told them that he was gunned down by a suspect who demanded his personal belongings. Upon viewing surveillance footage, officers observed the victim being approached by a suspect armed with a gun, they wrestled for control of the gun, and the victim was shot multiple times. actionnews5.com

Washington, DC: One killed, one hurt in Southeast DC convenience store shooting

Robberies, Incidents & Thefts

Azusa, CA: Video shows Target employee chasing down theft suspect in Southern California
Video captured the moment a Target employee chased down a thief to take back the stolen merchandise he had escaped with. The encounter, which went viral on social media, shows the male employee running after the male suspect in a neighborhood alleyway. The suspect had reportedly left a Target store in downtown Azusa with an armful of stolen goods. The employee runs after the suspect before grabbing his face and forcefully shoving him to the ground. The worker quickly picks up the fallen merchandise, which includes a large box and other items, before calmly walking away. The suspect appeared to be injured and disoriented after the violent confrontation. Workers at the store told KTLA's Shelby Nelson that the employee spotted in the video may be a store manager, but his identity has not been confirmed by the retailer. ktla.com

Asheville, NC: 3 arrested for looting from Asheville businesses following Helene

Daily Totals:
• 18 robberies
• 1 burglary
• 0 shootings
• 0 killed

Click map to enlarge

None to report.

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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 a 'Best in Class' Community Refer the Best & Build the Best Quality - Diversity - Industry Obligation
	Associate Full Time, Asset Protection, Wayfair Stores Wilmette, IL - Posted October 3 As an Asset Protection Host, you will support the Asset Protection and Store Leadership team by contributing to the overall guest experience by welcoming and thanking guests and employees into the retail store. This key role will report to the Asset Protection Lead and Asset Protection Manager. This is a people-facing role and requires the right candidate to be engaging, charismatic, and eager to engage regularly with customers and employees...
	Corporate Risk Manager Houston, TX - Posted September 18 Summary of Role and Responsibilities: Proactive approach to preventing losses/injuries, whether they are to our employees, third parties, or customers' valuables. They include cash in transit, auto losses, or injuries; Report all incidents, claims, and losses that may expose the company to financial losses, whether they are covered by insurance or not...
	District Asset Protection Manager North Kingstown, RI - Posted September 16 The District Asset Protection Manager at OSJL plays a key role in safeguarding the organization's stores. Through training and program implementation, this role champions a safe working environment and minimizes loss from shrink, theft, and fraud. This role conducts regular store visits, leads investigations, and collaborates with store leadership on best practices for asset protection...
	Corporate Risk Manager Memphis, TN or New Orleans, LA - Posted June 27 Summary of Role and Responsibilities: Proactive approach to preventing losses/injuries, whether they are to our employees, third parties, or customers' valuables. They include cash in transit, auto losses, or injuries; Report all incidents, claims, and losses that may expose the company to financial losses, whether they are covered by insurance or not...
	Loss Prevention Specialist Temple, TX - Posted June 18 The Loss Prevention Specialist identifies various types of losses and thefts, works cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment providing critical guidance to Operations on asset protection and profit improvement initiatives. At The Fikes Companies, our Mission is to build a highly successful company which our employees are proud of, our customers value, and the communities we serve can count on...
	Multi-Store Detective (Pittsburgh Operating Market) Pittsburgh, PA - Posted April 9 Job Summary: Store Detectives are key players in serving their assigned locations in the detection and apprehension of shoplifters. Job Responsibilities: Detect and apprehend shoplifters with the use of standard visual practice and CCTV in multi-store environment; Utilize CCTV to create video records of incidents requested by law enforcement and internal departments...
	Multi-Store Detective (Cleveland Operating Market) Cleveland, OH - Posted April 9 Job Summary: Store Detectives are key players in serving their assigned locations in the detection and apprehension of shoplifters. Job Responsibilities: Detect and apprehend shoplifters with the use of standard visual practice and CCTV in multi-store environment; Utilize CCTV to create video records of incidents requested by law enforcement and internal departments...
	Multi-Store Detective (Akron/Canton Operating Market) Akron/Canton, OH - Posted April 9 Job Summary: Store Detectives are key players in serving their assigned locations in the detection and apprehension of shoplifters. Job Responsibilities: Detect and apprehend shoplifters with the use of standard visual practice and CCTV in multi-store environment; Utilize CCTV to create video records of incidents requested by law enforcement and internal departments...

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Being too close to the trees to see the forest is an expression that also fits not appreciating the role you play on your own team. With the needs of the day seemingly always taking priority, it's difficult for some to step back and truly see the value you can add to your own team. Realizing it and accepting the responsibility as a team member is half the battle. But doing something with it and truly adding value is what helps the team win the game. Every group, every department is in fact a team and every member plays a vital role towards the success and the survival of that team. That's why that old expression - One for all and all for one - took such a hold in literature. Because it is that simple. The hard part is taking responsibility for it.

Just a Thought,
Gus

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