City by City Gun Violence in 2021 Stats
A National View - 1 Big City Every Day

Philadelphia's Record-Breaking Murder Surge Last Year
A Record 559 Murders in Philly in 2021 Scrapes Scars Into the City's Psyche

"The whole city of Philadelphia ... is likely to be traumatized from this year -- the pandemic, the gun violence, all of it"

In Philadelphia, 559 people were murdered in 2021, the most in the city's history. It's a record everyone saw coming and no one was able to stop. And it has scraped scars into the psyche of Philadelphians.

The 559 murders are the most since the city began keeping records in the 1960s. It's more murders than during the crack epidemic of the early 1990s. It's more murders than in far more populous cities in 2021, including New York and Los Angeles.

And it is an increase from last year's 499 murders, and a large increase from 2019, when Philadelphia recorded 356 homicides. More than 200 children and teens have been caught in the crossfire amid the rising violence. The controller's office says 36 minors were killed by gunfire and another 206 wounded in 2021.

"The whole city of Philadelphia, I would say, is likely to be traumatized from this year -- the pandemic, the gun violence, all of it," DeCarlo said.

The city appropriated $155 million to public safety in its last budget, including $16 million for neighborhood-based groups fighting violence. However, Mayor Jim Kenney twice this year declined to issue an emergency declaration on gun violence, something pushed by both activists and fellow lawmakers as a way to clear red tape and expedite resources to combat the problem.

He called for the city to have the ability to set its own gun laws, better coordination and cooperation among police, elected officials and the office of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, and for improvements to neighborhoods and schools. nbcphiladelphia.com

Previous Cities Covered: New York City | Seattle

DOJ to Increase Law Enforcement Grants 75% in 2022 - Reaching $7 Billion
Fighting the Crime Surge & Supporting the Nation's Cities

Associate AG Vanita Gupta Delivers Remarks at the U.S. Conference of Mayors
Delivered yesterday in Washington DC - In Brief Below

I have often said that being a mayor is one of the hardest jobs in the country. You are on the front lines of our nation’s most complex problems, and the work you do has immediate impact on people’s lives. Over the past two years, you have faced unprecedented challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, large-scale demonstrations for racial justice and a rise in hate crimes and gun violence.

Public safety is a top priority for the Department of Justice, and we have dedicated substantial resources to supporting our state and local partners as they investigate and prosecute violent crime. But, experience and research have taught us that enforcement alone is not enough to prevent crime. In May, the Attorney General announced a comprehensive strategy to reduce violent crime, and the department has deployed all of its tools — vigorous law enforcement; training and technical assistance; and financial support to state and local jurisdictions — to fight violent crime, strengthen communities and build community trust. Last year, the department awarded approximately $4 billion in grants, including $1.6 billion awarded just last month, to support a wide range of programs, and President Biden has requested more than $7 billion for the department’s grantmaking components in Fiscal Year 2022.

The department’s highest priorities — combatting hate crimes and reducing gun violence.

The department is also using its rulemaking authority to strengthen our responses to gun violence. The department has proposed new rules that will close loopholes on “ghost guns” and the use of accessories to convert pistols into short-barreled rifles so that we can keep guns out of the hands of those seeking to evade background checks.

The department is committed to addressing violent crime in all of its forms. The U.S. Attorneys' Offices across the country have worked with federal, state, local and community partners to identify and address the most pressing violent crime issues in their respective districts.

And the department’s grants programs, including the JAG Program, the COPS Hiring Program and the Smart Policing Initiative, increase state and local enforcement capacity by helping jurisdictions hire personnel, buy equipment, update technology, protect schools, reduce youth gang violence and implement innovative and evidence-based solutions to efficiently tackle chronic crime problems.

The department is developing resources and best practices on addressing mass demonstrations and civil unrest. Effectively managed protests show the best of the policing profession, allowing communities to exercise their constitutional rights and for officers to demonstrate what tactics can build public trust. We have started convenings with elected officials, community advocates and police leaders, to understand the practical lessons from those with significant experiences with these issues, and we plan to issue a best practices publication that will assist law enforcement agencies with protest management. justice.gov

Big Cities 'Rolling Out The Red Carpet for Thieves'
Organized retail theft a significant problem for merchants, municipalities, law enforcement
When cities like Chicago minimize penalties for retail theft, it’s like rolling out the red carpet for thieves, those in the industry say.

“Most retail theft is not for need, it’s organized,” Illinois Retail Merchants Association President and CEO Rob Karr told The Center Square.

Karr said lax enforcement leads to lost sales tax revenue for municipalities. What’s more, it often funds other far-reaching illegal activities, things like gun crime, illicit drugs and even human trafficking.

One way it works: “You’ll have one group, they’re going to want a hundred Gucci bags or a hundred power drills or a hundred fleece sweaters, and that order will go to a fence who will ship it out to somebody else who will then hire it out to someone who will go steal it,” Karr said. The term “fence” is slang for someone who buys and/or resells stolen property. “They’ll then send it back to their fence, who’ll then monetize it, and that money makes its way back up to the people who originally placed the order.”

Karr said there’s a need to recognize that larger-scale retail theft is not a one-off activity and that criminals look for localities where enforcement is minimized. And retail theft hurts everyone.

“Sales taxes fund state and local governments,” Karr said. “Sales tax is the largest source of income for many locations in Illinois, and for the state as a whole, it’s the second largest.”

Organized retail theft has grown over 60% the past five years, according to the National Retail Federation. Karr said it has accelerated during the pandemic but stresses it is not merely a pandemic problem.

It’s a mistake to lump organized retail theft in with non-violent crime, Karr said, a mistake that reflects how policy makers and law enforcement still see the issue from what he calls “a 20th Century point of view.” cities929.com

Stolen Merchandise Flooding the Web Amid Theft Wave
Organized retail theft is flooding the internet with stolen goods
While organized retail theft has been going on for decades, it has now grown into a $45 billion a year illegal industry. Former FBI agent Ross Rice says that is because criminals know they’ll likely get away with it.

"We’ve seen stories recently where the same business has been targeted two or three times in the same month. Well, why are they going back to the same place? Because they got away the first time," said Rice. "You don’t have armed security, and most of the stores have told their employees don’t get involved, don’t intervene, we don’t want anyone hurt."

Rob Karr of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association says organized retail theft has grown 60 percent over the last five years — particularly in areas where criminals perceive law enforcement to be lax.

So, where is all that stolen stuff going? While some winds up in pawn shops, flea markets or peddled out of cars, experts say the biggest marketplace is as close as your computer or cellphone.

Although online platforms have rules prohibiting the sale of stolen merchandise, it's hard to verify where items posted on the web actually come from. Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin recently held a judiciary committee hearing on organized retail theft.

"When you buy products from third-party sellers in online marketplaces, you’re really rolling the dice," said Sen. Durbin. "We need urgent action from those in congress."

Congress is working on a tool to do just that — the INFORM Consumers Act. The INFORM Consumers Act is a bipartisan bill that would require online retailers to disclose exactly who is selling what you’re buying. fox32chicago.com

Just 2 Weeks Into New Job Manhattan "Let-em-Loose" DA Might Face Recall
If New Manhattan Progressive DA Alvin Bragg just did his job, he wouldn’t need crisis-PR help
New Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has hired a crisis-management team to put out the fires of widespread outrage over his let-’em-loose approach to law enforcement. Can he really think the problem is that New Yorkers just don’t understand his order against prosecuting serious crimes as serious crimes?

They do understand, of course: They know it guarantees more serious crime. That’s why, just two weeks into his tenure, an online petition is calling for his removal while even Republicans only thinking about running for governor are promising to do just that.

Hence the exodus of top-notch talent from the Manhattan DA’s Office, with at least nine prosecutors resigning since Jan. 1, including the esteemed Joan Illuzzi-Orbon.

“I know one [ADA] who was with the office over 20 years who left without a job,” one law-enforcement source said. “They didn’t want to work in this kind of office. They wanted to continue prosecuting the law.”

Bragg can call in all of the fixers he wants, but even Scandal’s Olivia Pope couldn’t save him, not unless and until he gets serious about the ever-increasing crime, in just about every major category, plaguing the city.

Saying you care about crime won’t help when you refuse to fight it. nypost.com

West Palm Beach shootings shine light on increasing gun violence

US: 69.8M Cases - 880.9K Dead - 43.8M Recovered
Worldwide: 339.8M Cases - 5.5M Dead - 273.3M Recovered

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

Private Industry Security Guard Deaths: 343  
Law Enforcement Officer Deaths: 615
*Red indicates change in total deaths

The Virus is Here to Stay
COVID May Never Go Away But Public Health Emergency Could Be Over This Year
The COVID-19 virus may never end, but strict guidelines and vaccination requirements could lead to an end of lockdowns and hospitalizations. The head of emergencies at the World Health Organization (WHO) spoke about it on Tuesday during a panel discussion hosted by the World Economic Forum.

"We may never end the virus" because such pandemic viruses "end up becoming part of the ecosystem," Dr. Michael Ryan said. "[But] we have a chance to end the public health emergency this year if we do the things that we've been talking about."

Ryan said that the tragedy of the virus would continue if the vaccines and other tools were not shared fairly. The virus has killed more than 5.5 million people worldwide. The discussion also centered around vaccines, lockdown protocols and impact it has had on the economy.

While COVID-19 is highly unlikely to be eliminated, it could kill people at much lower levels, even if it becomes endemic and after, according to public health officials, the Associated Press reported.

For 2022, the goal of the WHO is to have 70 percent of the population in every country of the world vaccinated. newsweek.com

Nation Caught Unprepared For Tests & Results & White House Offered No Help
What happened to Operation Warp Speed? The Tortoise Won't Win Here

Omicron leaves testing labs overwhelmed, causing frustrating delays to get results
As the Omicron surge drives infection rates to record highs, testing has emerged as an essential tool for limiting its spread. But over the last month, laboratories and manufacturers have struggled to keep up with the demand.

In December, neighborhood pharmacies sold out of rapid antigen tests. Getting an appointment for the more sensitive and definitive PCR test took days, and results even longer. Once again, the pandemic had exposed a weakness in the country’s healthcare system.

“I think that unfortunately, we are as unprepared for the type of surge we are experiencing — from a testing perspective — as we were a year ago,”

Free at-home coronavirus testing kits, now available to households around the country, promise to ease the bottlenecks, but questions over shortages and delays threaten to undermine confidence. Answers, however, lie in the numbers.

Lab Results Wave: “Labs have to go from a normal level of testing to three times or 10 times more in a surge,” he said. “It is a very difficult ask. Everyone should have access to PCR tests that we can turn around in 24 hours. That is what a federal response should look like.”

As healthcare experts predict new variants on the horizon, the need for such safeguards is more important than ever, Garner said. latimes.com

States Take Emergency Measures Amid Omicron Surge
GOP and Democratic governors reinstate Covid emergency orders to combat omicron surge
As Covid-19 cases surge across the nation, Republican and Democratic governors alike are issuing new or reinstated emergency health orders in an effort to slow the spread of the omicron variant and alleviate the strain on hospitals.

Officials from Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, Kansas and California have all announced executive measures — some of which are renewals of emergency orders that are expiring or have been lifted — since the start of the month.

Instead of ordering lockdowns and business closures, which devastated the economy at the beginning of the pandemic, the fresh round of orders is designed to free up resources so state and local agencies can prepare for the onslaught of cases and potentially overwhelmed hospitals.

After months of falling case numbers, Covid infections resurged to unprecedented levels over the holidays due to the highly contagious omicron variant.

The U.S. has reported an average of more than 743,000 cases per day over the past week, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. That marks more than three times the level reported during last winter’s previous record. cnbc.com

Apple's Vaccine Mandate a Model for the Industry?
Op-Ed: Apple's Covid-19 Booster Mandate Is the Best I've Seen Yet

It's a model for every business trying to balance workplace safety and employee needs.

Earlier this week, Apple told employees of both its corporate offices and its retail stores that it will require them to get a Covid-19 booster shoot. That's according to an internal email reported by The Verge.

Employees will be required to get the booster shot within four weeks of their eligibility, or they will be required to undergo frequent testing before they'll be allowed to enter Apple's retail stores or corporate offices. Unvaccinated employees will also have to provide negative test results prior to entering work, starting January 24.

Essentially, Apple is informing employees that "fully-vaccinated" now means getting a booster shot. Notably, Apple isn't threatening to fire unvaccinated employees--or bar them from coming into work--both of which are steps other companies have taken.

Apple's approach is important because of its size and influence. It has the ability to shape the way other companies respond to the changing conditions of the pandemic.

Over the past two years, Apple has served as one of the best indicators of how Covid-19 was affecting different communities. The company was aggressive in monitoring local conditions and didn't hesitate to close retail stores in areas when cases surged. inc.com

Starbucks Reverses Vax Mandate for Baristas After Supreme Court Ruling
Starbucks drops vaccine-or-test requirement; adds new COVID protocols
Starbucks has changed course on its vaccine mandate for employees following the decision last week by the Supreme Court to block the Biden administration’s vaccine-or-test rule for large businesses.

In early January, Starbucks said its U.S. employees had to disclose their vaccination status by Jan. 10. It said that employees who choose not to be fully vaccinated by Feb. 9, when enforcement of the federal vaccine mandate for companies with 100 or more employees was scheduled to begin, would have to present a negative COVID-19 test and be tested weekly.

In his letter, Culver said Starbucks will still strongly encourage employees to get vaccinated and to disclose their vaccination status. More than 90% of workers have already disclosed if they have been vaccinated, and the “vast majority” have been fully vaccinated, according to Culver. The company will continue to offer two hours of paid time off for getting the shots.

Starbucks also announced several new Covid-19 safety protocols. Employees must wear a three-ply medical grade mask, including a N95, KN95 or KF94, at work. Cloth masks will no longer be allowed. chainstoreage.com  wsj.com

Using COVID Relief Dollars to Fund Law Enforcement
Arizona Gov. Ducey quietly approves $95M in virus cash to boost pay for troopers, prison guards and more
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey quietly tapped $95 million in federal coronavirus relief money in November to boost pay for state troopers, prison guards and workers in several other state departments deemed essential.

The Republican governor’s office did not announce that he was using cash from President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act to provide 20% pay boosts to the state’s corrections officers, 15% increases to state troopers and 10% increases to workers at the departments of child safety, economic security, juvenile corrections, transportation and health services.

Using the money to provide premium pay for essential workers is allowed under terms of the virus relief law signed by the Democratic president last March. It allows state and local governments to boost pay by up to $13 per hour for essential workers and allows a maximum per-employee amount of $25,000.

Ducey is seeking similar permanent raises for troopers and at other agencies in the budget proposal he released on Friday. fox10phoenix.com

Two-thirds of COVID vaccine side-effects are just a placebo effect, study says

U.S. Government Request for Information 10/8/2021
Facial Recognition Technology Standards & Ethical Usage

Notice of Request for Information (RFI) on Public and Private Sector Uses of Biometric Technologies
DC UPDATE: Stakeholders and advocates are chiming in with responses to a U.S. government request for information on public and private sector uses of biometrics, providing a snapshot of a social dialogue straining against the inertia of misunderstanding and self-interest.

The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) posted the RFI in October to gather information on “past deployments, proposals, pilots, or trials, and current use of biometric technologies” for identity verification, identification, and attribute inferencing.

When comments closed over the weekend, submissions had been made by various stakeholder groups. A somewhat optimistic review might conclude that opinion is converging at least around the need for clear definitions, the value being provided by NIST’s efforts and the need for more federal government action.

Service Provider - Civil Society - Software industry - All Expressed Opinions - Favorable Conclusion With Supporting NIST Work | Continue Reading For those following this technology.

Amazon's Brick-and-Mortar Presence Continues Growing
Amazon is opening a clothing store called 'Amazon Style' where customers will use their phones to request extra sizes and colors

Amazon is opening a brick-and-mortar clothing store in Los Angeles later this year.

Amazon will be opening a brick-and-mortar clothing store later this year called "Amazon Style," the company announced Thursday. The store will be located in Los Angeles and will feature a range of brands.

Amazon Style will rely heavily on technology for its shopping experience according to the company's press release. The shop floor will feature "display items" which will showcase a product in just one size and color. Shoppers will be able to use the Amazon app to see more options.

Amazon confirmed to Insider that customers who prefer to shop without phones will be able to ask a store employee for help finding the correct items. Customers also won't have to carry items to fitting rooms. Instead, they'll scan a QR code for an item and have it added to a fitting room for them.

Shoppers will also be able to use Amazon's palm-scanning payment system, Amazon One, at the checkout.

This isn't Amazon's first venture into physical stores. The tech giant bought supermarket chain Whole Foods in 2017. In 2018, it opened its first cashierless Amazon Go convenience store, and it has recently begun expanding its own-brand supermarket Amazon Fresh. businessinsider.com

Solution to Retail Supply Chain Crisis?
Supply chain crisis wouldn't be as bad if shoppers didn't have so much choice

Some stores are cutting back on the variety of items they offer, following the less is more mantra.

With the supply chain now under strain, those retailers that offer fewer product types are better positioned to withstand the challenge, experts say, and maintain their commitment to the customers who choose to shop there.

Take the Aldis, Lidls, Dollar Generals, Dollar Trees, and to some extent, the Costcos of the world. These stores have a limited number of specific items in their stores and stock a large amount of own-brand goods. This approach means they can reduce costs and streamline supply chains, Dave Marcotte, longtime retail and supply chain expert from Kantar Consulting, said in a recent conversation with Insider.

Buying fewer products in bulk gives these stores greater bargaining power with suppliers and means they have a smaller assortment of items to worry about being in stock and, most likely, fewer suppliers to deal with. Lidl's UK and Ireland CEO flagged this advantage in a recent interview. businessinsider.com

Store Closures & Job Cuts
Peloton hires McKinsey to review cost structure; cycle maker may cut jobs, close stores
Peloton is working with management consulting group McKinsey & Co. to review its cost structure and potentially eliminate some jobs, CNBC has learned.

The possible job cuts were discussed in a recent call with members of Peloton’s management team, according to a recording obtained by CNBC. The apparel division, which has seen particularly weak sales, is one area that could be targeted. The company doesn’t disclose revenue from its apparel business.

Peloton is also considering asking employees at its brick-and-mortar retail stores to take customer service calls during less busy times, according to the call. At one point, a Peloton executive on the call said that 15 stores are “on the cut line.” Peloton operated 123 showrooms as of June 30, in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Germany. cnbc.com

Experian debuting BNPL bureau later this year
Debuting in the first half of the year

In response to the rapid growth of buy now-pay later (BNPL) use among consumers, credit reporting agency Experian announced Wednesday it’s implementing the Buy Now Pay Later Bureau, which will provide a platform for BNPL providers, fintechs and point-of-sale lenders to share payment data tied to these transactions, the company said in a news release provided to Payments Dive. Will also offer "a comprehensive view of consumer payments" including outstanding BNPL loans with risk scoring in line with FCRA. paymentdive.com

Wegmans hiring hundreds for new Alexandria, DC stores
 

Senior LP & AP Jobs Market

Dir. of Security Operations job posted for Neiman Marcus Group in Dallas, TX
The Director of Security Operations will be responsible for all routine operational components of Neiman Marcus Group’s (NMG) Information Security Program. Major components of this program include oversight over the managed security service provided by a third party SOC provider and the development and maintenance of an incident response program and a crisis management program. neimanmarcus.taleo.net