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Gatekeeper Helps Retailers Crack Down on Theft
Wegmans aims to crack down on shopping-cart thefts. Here's how
 Wegmans
Food Markets
has installed a security system to
prevent shopping-cart thefts
at its Auburn, Cayuga County, store, and it could be added to other locations in
the 106-store chain.
Last week, the Rochester-based company
activated a
Gatekeeper security system at the Auburn store,
the Auburn Citizen reported Nov. 17.
If someone tries to take a cart beyond the store's property, the wheels lock,
Wegmans spokesperson Deana Percassi explained in an email.
Most such systems work via a buried cable around a property's perimeter. When a
cart crosses over the cable,
a signal is sent to a central transmitter, locking the cart's wheels
(which employees can unlock to bring the cart back into service).
"At this time, Auburn is the only store using this system, but we will continue
to evaluate the potential to roll this out to other stores," Percassi said.
"There are several reasons why we decided to install the system at the Auburn
store, including the cost of replacing carts, as well as the cost of locating
and returning missing carts to the store."
She did not say how many carts the Auburn Wegmans is losing (although the
Citizen story characterized it as an ongoing problem) or what the losses amount
to in dollars but noted that
cart theft is an industry-wide issue for U.S. retailers
that results in annual costs of around $800 million, according to the Food
Marketing Institute in Washington D.C.
 Tops
supermarkets, which has 160 stores
- most in New York state -
has used a cart-locking system at 24 of its locations for more than 20 years,
spokesperson Kathleen Sautter said in an email.
She declined to say which 24 "for security reasons," but she did say the system
has not prevented cart thefts entirely.
"We do have people who
will challenge the system by lifting and dragging the carts through the barrier,"
she said. "As you can imagine, having the carts stolen is a tremendous expense
to our organization and frustrating for shoppers as well."
democratandchronicle.com
The U.S. Crime Surge
The Retail Impact
Bay Area Retailers Flooded with Looters & Thieves
San Francisco, CA: California Nordstrom robbed by 80 looters in ski masks with
crowbars and weapons
 About
80 looters in ski masks ransacked a Nordstrom location outside of San Francisco,
in a scene described by witnesses as "insane" and like something "out of a
movie." "We probably saw 50 to 80 people in ski masks crowbars a bunch of
weapons. They were looting the Nordstrom's right here. And I thought they were
going to start beating cars. I had to start locking doors lock the front door
lock the back door," local PF Chang's manager Brett Barrette told KGO. "There
was a mob of people," Barrette added to CBS SF. "The police were flying in. It
was like a scene out of a movie. It was insane."
The incident unfolded before 9 p.m. on Saturday evening in Walnut Creek, which
is about 25 miles outside San Francisco. A local reporter tweeted footage of the
scene and said about
25 cars pulled up outside of the Nordstrom before running in, grabbing
merchandise and fleeing.
Dozens of police cars responded, and Walnut Creek Lt. Ryan Hibbs told KPIX 5
there were reports that the looters smashed shelves during the incident. They
quickly got back into their cars while carrying bags and boxes.
It's unclear how much merchandise was stolen, NBC News reported. Walnut Creek
Police Department said that
one employee was pepper sprayed and two others were kicked and punched.
They were treated and released on the scene.
foxnews.com
Police Warn of More Mass Robbery Attempts After Looters Ransack Walnut Creek
Nordstrom
Walnut Creek Lt. Ryan Hibbs told KPIX that three people were in custody and
others were being sought. "Walnut Creek Police investigators are in the process
of reviewing surveillance footage to attempt to identify other suspects
responsible for this brazen act," authorities said in Sunday morning news
release.
sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com
S.F. police respond to reports of looting, vandalism of Union Square stores
 Police
officers in San Francisco responded to the city's fashionable Union Square
Friday evening following reports of looting and vandalism at retail stores
there, according to a police spokesperson.
San Francisco Police Ofc. Robert Rueca said late Friday evening that the report
came in at approximately 8:10 p.m. and officers arrived on scene to a retail
store in Union Square in which they observed several suspects involved in
criminal acts.
Reports say the Louis Vuitton fashion store on Geary Street was a major
target. Multiple videos posted on social media showed the store being
robbed.
Police have arrested multiple suspects, Rueca added, continuing that officers
are responding to reports of other retail establishments where vandalism has
occurred Friday evening. Additional officers are responding to the Union
Square area.
mercurynews.com
Hayward, CA: Smash-and-Grab Thieves Target Hayward Mall; Lululemon Store Robbed
in San Jose's Santana Row
 Looters
targeting Bay Area businesses struck again Sunday evening, with smash-and-grab
thieves hitting the Southland Mall in Hayward and suspects taking merchandise
from a Lululemon store in San Jose.
Hayward police told KPIX they responded around 5:30 p.m. Sunday to multiple
calls from stores in Southland Mall. Witnesses said a large mob of people caused
a huge disturbance inside the mall, with some briefly taking over a jewelry
store. Witnesses described some 40 to 50 looters wielding hammers and other
tools looted Sam's Jewelers, breaking glass cases and quickly fleeing. The
Macy's store was also ransacked.
In video taken during the robbery, you can hear workers inside Sam's Jewelers
screaming in fear. Witnesses say this was the tail end of a much scarier and
bigger scene. "I would say at least 30 to 40 [people] from what I saw," said
another witness, who declined to identify themselves. "But then after the main
group of kids rushed out,
we saw 15 to 20 scattering, some even came back in."
KPIX spoke with two women who work near Sam's Jewelers. They and other mall
workers said some kids ran into other stores and left with shoes and clothing.
sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com
Map: Bay Area stores hit by looters, thieves
LA's Progressive DA Making the News -
Progressives Typically Don't Prosecute Petty Theft Cases
'He's Remaking Criminal Justice in L.A. But How Far Is Too Far?'
To keep people out of prison, George Gascón
is risking everything: rising violent crime, a staff rebellion and the votes
that made him district attorney.
 Last
December, when George Gascón took over the largest local prosecutor's office in
the country, he made a complete break from the past. His
inaugural speech as district attorney of Los Angeles County at once thrilled
progressive activists and alienated many of the lawyers sizing up their new
boss.
Standing alone at a lectern as a pandemic precaution, Gascón put his hands
to his forehead and half-bowed, yogi-style, to thank the judge who swore him in
over a video connection.
Gascón leveled an all-out attack on the status quo. The new district
attorney described being arrested as "traumatic and dehumanizing," lifting his
hands for emphasis. "Our rush to incarcerate generations of kids of color," he
said, has torn apart "the social fabric of our communities." Signaling that the
police should expect new scrutiny, Gascón promised to review fatal
shootings in the county by officers, going back to 2012.
He turned the argument for the "tough-on-crime approach" of other local
law-enforcement leaders on its head, blaming their strategy for an eight-year
rise in violent crime. He accused his opponents of making "unfounded and
self-serving claims" about how more punishment increases public safety. "The
status quo hasn't made us safer," he said, jabbing his fingers into the air.
Continue Reading
Democrats Turn a Blind Eye to Connecticut's Juvenile Crime Wave
The state desperately needs a special
session of the Legislature to address it, but Gov. Lamont refuses.
 A
juvenile crime wave is breaking across Connecticut. Tragically, children have
been both victims and perpetrators.
Residents, chiefs of police, municipal leaders and community activists
across the state are begging Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont to address the problem
by calling the Democrat-dominated Legislature into special session. To date,
these requests have been ignored, with deadly results.
Hartford has seen more than 30 homicides this year, making 2020 one of the
deadliest years on record in Connecticut's capital city. In April a 3-year-old
boy was shot and killed in a car by offenders who were themselves only 16 and
19. In neighboring New Britain, a 17-year-old with 13 prior arrests stole a car
and struck and killed a jogger in June. In a Danbury mall in August, a
14-year-old in a dispute with other teens shot an innocent bystander-a
15-year-old girl.
Bridgeport, the state's largest city, has seen more than 10,000 incidents of
shots fired so far this year, twice the number for all of 2020. Gun violence
is "everywhere" in Connecticut, a neighbor of the victims told the Connecticut
Post.
Connecticut's Democratic politicians consistently try to evade responsibility
for the violence by pointing to national trends. They ignore the residents,
law-enforcement officials and even the parents of juvenile offenders who are
begging them to do something to help end the violence. After recent shootings
that involved 10- and 14-year-old boys, Waterbury police chief Fernando Spagnolo
urged elected leaders to take action: "We need some help from the legislators."
Continue Reading
New Mexico Attorney General's office seeing more shoplifting rings ahead of
holiday shopping season
'Increased levels of theft': Humboldt County retailers, law enforcement see more
pilfering
&uuid=(email))
Retail Abuse & Violence Against Shopworkers
in the UK
Trade Associations & Retail Unions Fight for New Criminal Charges
UK: Retail unhappy as efforts to make attacking shopworkers a specific offence
are rebuffed
Retailer organizations have united in disappointment at the government's
continued unwillingness to introduce specific legal protection for shopworkers
who are assaulted.
Although some peers in the House of Lords yesterday spoke in favour of the
measures, two proposed amendments to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts
Bill were withdrawn.
The government argues that a wide range of potential offences already exist for
assaults on shopworkers, including common assault, so there is no need for a
specific offence of assaulting a shopworker.
James Lowman, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS),
said: "We are extremely disappointed that the government has once again failed
to take urgent action to protect colleagues working in our sector.
Another retail body, the NFRN, agreed and added that it would continue to press
for greater protection for shopworkers.
Shahid Razzaq, chairman of its political engagement committee, said: "We will
continue to lobby the government, police chiefs and police and crime
commissioners for greater legal protection for everyone who works in retail." Shopworkers union Usdaw also pledged to continue pressing for legislative change
and a simple standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker.
talkingretail.com
Last week in the UK - Retail's Biggest Trade
Union - USDAW
'Respect for Shopworkers Week' & 'The Freedom From Fear Campaign'
About Freedom From Fear: Usdaw's
'Freedom From Fear Campaign' works to prevent violence, threats and
abuse against workers. We do this by engaging the public, shopworkers and the
Government.
 Results
of last year's Usdaw's Freedom From Fear Survey show that 79% of shopworkers
said that abuse was worse last year. 88% experienced verbal abuse, 60% were
threatened by a customer and 9% were assaulted.
Usdaw survey reveals that nearly half of shopworkers are not confident that
reporting abuse will make a difference
usdaw.org.uk
Retail trade union Usdaw has today launched shocking statistics from
their annual survey during the annual Respect for Shopworkers Week, 15-21
November. Interim results from nearly 3,500 retail staff show that in
the last twelve months:
●
89% have experienced verbal abuse.
●
64% were threatened by a customer.
●
11% were assaulted.
●
46% said they were not confident that reporting
abuse, threats and violence will make a difference.
●
7% of those who had been assaulted did not
report the incident.
The annual Respect for Shopworkers Week runs from 15-21 November this year.
During the campaign week Usdaw reps, activists and officials are raising
awareness of the year-round Freedom from Fear Campaign, talking to the public at
street stalls and in shops to promote a message of 'respect for shopworkers'.
Usdaw is campaigning for a new protection of workers law, like the
ground-breaking legislation that came into force in Scotland in August this
year. The union continues to call on the Government to extend those protections
to shopworkers across the rest of the UK, which is supported by leading voices
across the retail sector.
pressreleasespoint.com
USDAW Survey:
Survey of violence and abuse against retail staff
Rittenhouse Verdict Sparks Nationwide Unrest
NYC - Kenosha - Portland - Los Angeles - Chicago
Protests & riots spring up in NYC, other cities in response to Rittenhouse
verdict
 Protests
sprang up in New York and other cities across
the country Friday night in response to Kyle Rittenhouse's acquittal,
resulting in
at least five arrests and some property damage in Queens, according to
the NYPD.
About 300 protesters also gathered outside Brooklyn's Barclays Center,
where the Nets played the Orlando Magic Friday night, decrying the not-guilty
verdict as a shameful racial double standard in the justice system.
Meanwhile, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, dozens of
protesters congregated outside of the courthouse where Rittenhouse had been
acquitted, for hours after the decision was announced.
A large-scale protest never materialized, and the small group was largely
peaceful. One woman was arrested for drawing "Judge Schroeder must go" on the
courthouse walls and steps in chalk, referring to Bruce Schroeder, the judge in
the Rittenhouse trial, according to local reports.
Tensions escalated dramatically in Portland, Oregon
where a riot was declared after a group of about 200 protesters began hurling
objects at police officers and damaging city buildings, cops said.
 Portland
Police Chief Chuck Lovell told KOIN that it is "reasonable to expect there will
be some type of reaction to the verdict."
In Los Angeles, about 20 people gathered
Saturday at Pan Pacific Park, marching peacefully along sidewalks and through
the bustling Grove shopping center carrying signs reading "Kyle
Rittenhouse and the Whole Damn System Is Guilty" and urging shoppers to join
them.
Other small protests took place in Chicago,
where people gathered on the city's streets to protest the verdict for a 90
minute peaceful march, local media reported. The Chicago Police Department
had canceled many officers' days off in anticipation of any unrest in response
to the verdict, according to WGN.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot released a statement in response to Friday's
verdict in which she urged residents to "respect the jury's decision,"
while also criticizing Rittenhouse's actions.
nypost.com
latimes.com
Gun store promotes 'not guilty' sale after Rittenhouse acquittal
A Texas gun store and shooting range is facing criticism following a text
message to customers announcing a "not guilty" sale after Kyle Rittenhouse
was acquitted.
The Saddle River Range sent a text to customers early Saturday morning
saying the large holiday sale would start later that day and last until
Thanksgiving. The sale includes deals on firearms, optics, bags and gun
parts, among other items.
The decision to promote the sale using an image of Rittenhouse was met with
mixed emotions. The 18-year-old was acquitted Friday on charges stemming from
killing two men and wounding another during the unrest that followed the
shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by a white police officer last year.
hawaiinewsnow.com
Kyle Rittenhouse acquittal sparks sporadic protests and Portland clashes - but
Kenosha remains peaceful
Windows smashed in downtown Portland Rittenhouse protest
COVID Update
451.4M Vaccinations Given
US: 48.5M Cases - 793.6K Dead - 38.4M Recovered
Worldwide:
257.9M Cases - 5.1M Dead - 232.8M Recovered
Former Senior Loss Prevention Executive
Know of any fallen LP exec? Let's remember &
recognize.
Private Industry Security Guard Deaths: 325
Law
Enforcement Officer Deaths: 535
*Red indicates change in total deaths
COVID Cases Tick Back Up Ahead
of Holidays
More COVID Deaths in 2021 Than 2020
U.S. Covid-19 Deaths in 2021 Surpass 2020's
The
number of U.S. Covid-19 deaths recorded in 2021 has surpassed the toll in
2020, according to federal data and Johns Hopkins University, demonstrating
the virus's persistent menace.
 The total number of reported deaths linked to the disease topped 770,800 on
Saturday, Johns Hopkins data show. This puts the pandemic-long total at more
than twice the 385,343 Covid-19 deaths recorded last year, according to the most
recent death-certificate data from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
The spread of the
highly contagious Delta variant and low vaccination rates in some
communities were important factors, infectious-disease experts said. The
milestone comes as Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations move higher again in
places such as New England and the upper Midwest, with the seven-day average for
new cases recently closer to 90,000 a day after it neared 70,000 last month.
Covid-19 has proven to be an enduring threat even in some of the most
vaccinated places, many of which are confronting outbreaks again now, as the
world prepares to live with and manage the disease for the long term. In Europe,
parts of Austria, Germany and the Netherlands have imposed new restrictions in
recent days after Covid-19 cases rose and hospitals came under strain.
wsj.com
"We're definitely headed into our next surge"
COVID-19 cases rise with Thanksgiving gatherings on the way
COVID-19 cases are climbing nationally as the U.S. barrels into its second
holiday season during the pandemic, with most families planning this year to
gather for Thanksgiving.
The U.S. is in better shape than at this point last year, when authorities
confirmed well over 160,000 COVID-19 cases every day.
The daily average of new cases stands below 100,000 and almost 200 million
Americans are fully vaccinated. They can "feel good about enjoying a
typical" holiday season, top infectious diseases expert
Anthony Fauci
said this week.
But with millions still unvaccinated and cases rising, experts are urging
Americans, particularly the unvaccinated, partially vaccinated and
vulnerable, to exercise caution when gathering with others.
thehill.com
24 states have seen 100 percent increases in daily COVID cases over the last
week
These states include Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Massachusetts, Kentucky,
Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire and Alaska.
Twenty-two other states are also reporting increases in COVID-19 cases,
though some at much smaller rates. The CDC wrote on
Twitter
Friday morning that the "#COVID19 level of community transmission in the U.S.
remains high & cases are increasing."
newsweek.com
Full Speed Ahead on Vaccine Mandate?
Employers Told to Follow ETS Despite Federal Appeals Court Injunction
Lawsuit challenges have been gathered
together in one appeals court.
President Biden's workplace vaccination requirement for large employers may
be blocked by a preliminary injunction issued by a federal appeals court,
but that hasn't stopped his administration from insisting that employers
continue to follow the new rule.
Earlier this month, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
issued an emergency temporary standard (ETS) requiring that employers with 100
or more employees must have all of their workers vaccinated against COVID-19 no
later than Jan. 4, 2022. The next day, the Fifth Circuit court of appeals issued
a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of the ETS while challenges to it
are heard in the federal court system.
Other private organizations that have embraced the OSHA ETS mandate also told
employers they should continue to implement the mandate in spite of the court
injunction, including the American Medical Association and U.S. Chamber of
Commerce.
Opponents of the mandate include the National Retail
Federation, American Trucking Associations and the National Federation of
Independent Business, as well as the attorneys general of at least 26
states. Some labor unions wish to see the ETS expanded to include employers of
99 or fewer employees.
ehstoday.com
Florida Putting a Halt to Vaccine Mandates
DeSantis bill signed in Brandon forces companies to slam brakes on COVID vaccine
mandates
Florida lawyer representing health care
workers called the vaccine guidelines a 'temporary victory'
Recent legislation signed into law by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is forcing
companies to slam the brakes on coronavirus vaccine mandates for employees.
DeSantis signed multiple bills regarding vaccine mandates on Thursday during
Florida's special legislative session. Under one of the bills, private
employers must give workers the option of opting out of the vaccine mandate,
including medical and religious exemptions.
"I told Floridians that we would protect their jobs, and today we made that the
law,"
DeSantis said in a press release last week. "Nobody should lose their job
due to heavy-handed COVID mandates, and we had a responsibility to protect
the livelihoods of the people of Florida. I'm thankful to the Florida
Legislature for joining me in standing up for freedom."
foxnews.com
Lockdowns return to Europe
 Facing
a rapid rise in Covid-19 cases, Austria will restrict most people to their
homes for up to 20 days starting Monday, while parts of Germany will impose
similar measures this week. Rules meant to tame the virus's latest surge
sparked
protests in several European cities over the weekend.
On Saturday in Austria and Italy, people upset with renewed constraints marched
to show their opposition. More protests were planned elsewhere in Europe.
Protests in Rotterdam against
new Dutch Covid-19 restrictions turned violent Friday night, and police said
they arrested 51 people, fired warning shots and used water cannons to control
rioters who pelted officers with rocks, burned cars and set off powerful
fireworks.
wsj.com
More Restrictions in
Europe Leads to Unrest & Violence
Covid restriction protests in European cities turn violent
 Thousands
of demonstrators poured onto the streets of European capitals at the weekend
as governments stepped up restrictions to combat the latest Covid wave
sweeping the continent.
Police in Brussels fired water cannon and tear gas after being pelted
with projectiles as 35,000 protesters challenged Belgium's beefed up anti-Covid
measures and vaccination campaign.
Marching behind a banner stating "Together for Freedom", the crowd
included far right activists, LGBT+ rights campaigners and people carrying the
Flemish flag.
In the Netherlands, police made 19 arrests after riots in The Hague on
Saturday night when officers charged protesters who set fire to bicycles.
The Dutch authorities have imposed a three-week partial lockdown to curb
cases, introduced a vaccine passport and banned New Year's Eve fireworks.
thetimes.co.uk
Vaccine mandate lawsuits to be heard in Cincinnati's Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of
Appeals
Disney World puts COVID-19 vaccination policy on hold for employees
Colorado's COVID-19 surge is an urgent warning for California
&uuid=(email))
RILA & Buy Safe's ORC Study
75% of ORC Subjects Physically Assaulted an
Associate - 41% Used a Weapon
Homeland Security Joins Retailers in Expressing Concern over ORC
 Washington,
DC - A
study released yesterday by the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA)
and the Buy Safe America Coalition sounds the alarm on the increasingly brazen
and violent theft occurring in retail stores across the nation. Following
publication, Department of Homeland Security officials affirmed the dangers of
organized retail crime, linking criminal syndicates to more dangerous activities
impacting local communities.
"Organized retail crime is leading to more brazen and more violent attacks in
retail stores throughout the country. Many of the criminal rings orchestrating
these thefts are also involved in other serious criminal activity such as human
trafficking, narcotics trafficking, weapon trafficking, and more. Tackling this
growing threat is important to the safety of store employees, customers, and
communities across the country," said Steve Francis, Executive Associate
Director with Homeland Security Investigations.
Among the study's findings:
●
As much as $68.9 billion worth of products were
stolen from retailers in 2019 (pre-COVID).
●
Nearly 67% of asset protection managers at
leading retailers surveyed report a moderate to considerable increase in
organized retail crime, while 80% believe it will only get worse in the future.
●
86.2% of retailers
surveyed said a ORC subject has verbally threatened an associate; 75.9% said an
ORC subject has physically assaulted an associate, 41% said an ORC subject has
used a weapon to harm an associate
Continue Reading
In Case You Missed It - Published in the
Daily on Nov. 18
RILA & Buy Safe America Coalition
Release ORC Study
Retail Theft Balloons to over $68 Billion as Organized Retail Crime Spawns
Massive Criminal Enterprises Online; More Brazen Attacks in Stores
RILA & Buy Safe America Coalition Study
Shines a Light on Economic and Human Impact of Organized Retail Crime
 Washington,
DC - Today, the Retail
Industry Leaders Association and
Buy Safe America
Coalition released a new report examining the rise in organized criminal
activity targeting local retailers, quantifying the economic impact these
crimes are having on local retailers and communities. Beyond the startling
economic impact, the report also details the significant impact retail crimes
are having on employees, who increasingly encounter more brazen, and violent
theft in stores.
Read the full
report here
Just Days Before Macy's Thanksgiving Day
Parade - Copycat Fears?
5 killed and 40 injured, including kids, when SUV plows into Wisconsin Christmas
parade - terror not ruled out
 A
driver blew past police barricades and plowed into a group of people marching in
a Christmas parade in Wisconsin on Sunday, killing five people and
injuring dozens of others, including children, officials said.
The carnage unfolded at the annual celebration in the small city of Waukesha
shortly after 4:40 p.m. local time and left more than 40 people injured, city
officials said. At least 12 of the victims are children.
A person of interest was in custody and police have not ruled out terrorism
as a motive, according to Police Chief Daniel Thompson. It's also
possible the driver was fleeing another crime scene.
"A parade is a celebration for our community. Today our community faced
horror and tragedy in what should have been a community celebration," the mayor
said.
Witnesses had reported that shots were fired by the driver, but police later
clarified that an officer discharged their weapon at the vehicle.
nypost.com
Editor's Note: While there is no specific retail connection to
this tragedy, it's noteworthy given the proximity of the incident to this week's
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Those in charge of the safety and security of
the annual Macy's event - and similar events across the country - will most
certainly be doubling down their efforts to avoid any potential copycat
incidents.
Instacart Shopper Safety Alert
Instacart adds safety enhancements for its shoppers
E-grocer will alert its shopper community of
local critical incidents, improve emergency calling function
 Online
grocery platform Instacart this week introduced new safety features to support
its shopper community, including Shopper Safety Alert technology that will
notify shoppers of localized critical incidents as soon as they occur,
helping keep shoppers safe on the platform. In addition, Instacart is enhancing
its emergency calling functionality in the Shopper app, as well as introducing
new resources to help the community shop safely.
Instacart's Shopper Safety Alert technology will give shoppers near
real-time alerts when a critical incident occurs nearby. Developed in
partnership with
samdesk, a global disruption monitoring platform, this feature leverages
multiple feeds, including law enforcement, social media, local news and other
channels to generate automated alerts when there is a critical event. Shoppers
within the area of an incident will immediately see the alert in the Shopper app
to assess the situation and avoid the area. If a shopper is in the middle of an
order, the app will automatically pause the order to prevent the shopper from
entering the incident area. Instacart will also assess these situations in
real time and may pause operations entirely in specific stores or regions if
they pose a risk to the broader shopper community.
"We want Instacart to be a place where shoppers can earn safely, and we believe
technology allows us to support shoppers in entirely new ways," said Daniel
Danker, vice president of shopper & fulfillment at San Francisco-based Instacart.
"Our new Shopper Safety Alerts will help protect shoppers in the unlikely
event that they face an unexpected crisis, giving them near real-time
information to avoid areas that may be unsafe. This update is part of our
broader commitment to shopper safety, and we look forward to continuing our
efforts to help shoppers earn safely."
supermarketnews.com
"Just Walk Out" Tech Popping Up in UK's
C-Stores
Amazon targeting 260 cashier-free Fresh grocery stores in UK by end of 2024
Those internal documents indicate targets of 60 new stores in 2022, 100 in
2023 and another 100 in 2024. They then aim to expand to Germany, Italy and
Spain.
coresight.com
Burger King Parent - Restaurant Brands Intern. to Buy 4th Banner - Firehouse
Subs for $1B
Tim Horton's - Burger King - Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen & now Firehouse Subs
27,000 restaurants in 100 countries + Firehouse Subs 1,200 locations in U.S.-
97% franchisee operated
chainstoreage.com
Target to keep stores closed on Thanksgiving for good
Zero-Waste Retailer Launches No-Waiting Checkout Solution
Quarterly Results
The Buckle Q3 comp's up 27.3%, net sales up 27.3%
PetCo Q3 comp's UP 15%, net sales up 15%
Foot Locker Q3 comp's up 2.2%, sales up 3.9%
Natural Grocers Q4 comp's up 2.5%, net sales up 3.2%, FY21 comp's up 0.7%, net
sales up 1.8%
Senior LP & AP Jobs
Market
Director, Assets LP job posted for Goodwill of North Georgia in Decatur, GA
 The
Loss Prevention Director is responsible for identifying, evaluating,
controlling, and minimizing exposure to loss of or damage to physical assets;
and maintains and improves access control for all GNG facilities. Proactively
addresses issues related to theft, fraud, ethics and operational accountability.
Oversees contracts and vendor relationships dealing with security, alarm system,
and surveillance system; Oversees security, loss prevention and auditing needs
for Goodwill and represents the company in a professional manner that reflects
the values and standards of the organizations mission and goals.
recruiting.ultipro.com
Last week's #1 article --
CVS plans to close 900 stores
|
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Shootings & Deaths
Malden, MA: Man Fatally Shot Outside Malden 7-Eleven
A man was shot and killed outside a 7-Eleven in Malden Saturday night, the
Middlesex District Attorney's office said. The shooting happened around 9:40
p.m. outside the Salem Street store. Investigators say the victim, a 22-year-old
Boston man, had a "brief interaction" with a group of people before one of them
opened fire, hitting him. The man was taken to an area hospital, where he was
pronounced dead.
patch.com
Philadelphia, PA: Armed Robbery of Uber driver with carry permit ends with 2
suspects shot, 1 dead
A Philadelphia Uber driver with a permit to carry shot two armed men who were
attempting to rob him Saturday, killing one of the suspects, according to local
reports. Three armed men approached the driver as he exited his car on the 3200
block of Longshore Avenue in Mayfair just after midnight. The suspects demanded
money from the man, who told them there was some in his car, police told WPVI-TV.
As the suspects searched the car, the unnamed Uber driver pulled his firearm and
fired. Surveillance video obtained by KYW-TV shows the driver firing shots at
the suspects. Police said the driver is licensed to carry a firearm, the outlets
reported. Two of the suspects, both in their 20s, were struck several times and
rushed to a hospital, according to authorities. One suspect died while the other
remains in critical condition. Police said it was unclear whether the third
suspect who fled was injured in the shooting.
philadelphia.cbslocal.com
Amazon worker fatally struck by unlicensed driver near NYC warehouse
 A
woman who works for Amazon was struck and killed by a car operated by an
unlicensed driver as she crossed a street in front of the company's Staten
Island warehouse late Saturday night, police said. The 24-year-old was
attempting to cross 5th Street across from the Amazon Fulfillment Center around
11:30 p.m. when she was hit by a Honda Accord that was traveling west, cops
said. The victim suffered head and body trauma and was rushed to Richmond
University Medical Center but couldn't be saved, cops said.
nypost.com
Fairfield County, VA: Man Shot in Fairfax County C-Store, Police Say
Authorities say a man was shot in a Fairfax County store by another man who
claims he fired his weapon in self-defense. Officers responded to the Food Star
at 5521 Leesburg Pike in Virginia at around 6:43 p.m. Saturday. Fairfax County
police say the victim was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Police said the shooter is with officers and detectives are currently
investigating.
nbcwashington.com
Update: Attleboro, MA: Boston Man Convicted of Murder in a 2017 Botched Drug
Robbery
Oakland, CA: Gunfire Erupts As Smash and Grab Robbers Target Oakland Pot
Dispensaries
Robberies, Incidents & Thefts
Rockville, MD: Man charged with attempted murder in McDonald's employee stabbing
A Rockville, Maryland, man faces attempted murder and assault charges after a
fight between two employees at a McDonald's restaurant ended in a stabbing on
Tuesday, Nov. 16. Thirty-one-year-old Isiah Anthony Hollins was arrested Friday
on charges of attempted first-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault
and reckless endangerment for allegedly stabbing a man multiple times outside
the McDonald's at 1390 Rockville Pike. Officers arrived at the scene Tuesday
evening around 11 p.m. and found a man in the parking lot suffering from non
life-threatening knife wounds to his face and arms, police said. Detectives
believe the fight started inside the restaurant and moved out to the lot, where
the suspect pulled a knife from his vehicle and stabbed the victim repeatedly
before driving off.
wtop.com
Las Vegas, NV: Man beats PetSmart customer with dog bone over mask policy
Authorities say a man suffered a fractured skull after he allegedly was beaten
with a dog bone inside a Las Vegas pet store during a quarrel over a mask
policy. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police say 22-year-old Juan Hamilton was taken
into custody on a warrant after the Nov. 8 incident. Court records show Hamilton
was still being held on $5,000 bail on suspicion of attempted murder, battery,
abuse of an older person resulting in substantial bodily harm, and burglary of a
business. Reports say that eyewitnesses told police that Hamilton was in line
behind another man when the two began arguing about the PetSmart store's mask
policy.
8newsnow.com
Fond Du Lac, WI: Bystanders Helped Grab Kohl's Armed Robbery Suspect
Police in Fond du Lac are crediting bystanders for nabbing one of two suspects
in an armed robbery at a local Kohl's. It happened Sunday afternoon. Police say
two men came into the store and started breaking into the jewelry cases. One of
them had a hammer. After the smash-and-grab, police say the suspects tried to
run away, but one was grabbed by shoppers in the store. They held the suspect
until police arrived. The second suspect got away.
whbl.com
Holyoke, MA: 81-Year-Old Woman Pushed To The Ground, Robbed Outside Mall
Winston-Salem, NC: Police investigating third Armed Robbery of Dollar store in
two days
Roseville, CA: Roseville shopping centers, police prepare for rise in thefts
during holidays
Fresno, CA: Police advise business owners to lock up merchandise as holiday
season approaches |
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Payspan,
Inc. is seeking a full-time, talented Vice President, Chief Information Security
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The
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Nnamdi
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For years, 
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