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4/27/21

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Tony Raab promoted to Associate Director of Loss Prevention for Spencer's

Tony has been with Spencer's for nearly five years, starting with the company in 2016 as Sr. Asset Protection Manager. Before his promotion to Associate Director of Loss Prevention, he served as Sr. RLPM Mid Atlantic for the company. Earlier in his career, he held LP/security roles with Nine West Group (formerly Jones Retail Corporation), KB Toys, Bloomingdale's, Alen Hart Associates, Tiffany & Co. and Macy's. Congratulations, Tony!

Andrew Burchett named Senior Manager, Asset Protection - Supply Chain for Five Below

Before joining Five Below as Senior Manager, Asset Protection - Supply Chain, Andrew spent nearly eight years with Stein Mart as Director, Field & Supply Chain Asset Protection (nearly 3 years) and Supply Chain Asset Protection Manager (over 5 years). Earlier in his career, he held LP roles with Kohl's Department Stores and Gap Inc. Congratulations, Andrew!

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March Networks Signs $4 Million Product and Services Contract with California Transportation Agency

Contract covers mobile surveillance for entire bus fleet, and up to 7 years of cloud-based monitoring services for maximum video network uptime

OTTAWA, ON, April 27, 2021 –– March Networks, a global video surveillance and video-based business intelligence leader, is pleased to announce that one of California’s busiest transportation authorities will standardize its entire bus fleet on its RideSafe mobile solution.

The $4 million contract will see more than 400 buses deployed with March Networks’ complete end-to-end RideSafe solution. The contract includes cloud-based monitoring of all of the transportation authority’s mobile cameras and recorders, a services contract providing annual and recurring revenue for March Networks for up to 7 years.

RideSafe enables transit operators to maintain the highest security for passengers and employees, respond quickly to emergency situations, and resolve liability claims faster with integrated surveillance video and vehicle metadata. It also provides peace of mind with sophisticated monitoring through March Networks’ Insight Monitoring and Resolution Service. Read more here

Interface Unveils AI-based Autonomous Anti-Loitering System

Featuring automated voice down messages to deter intrusion before it happens

Interface Founder & CEO Makes Cover of Restaurant Technology News
Spotlight Interview: Michael Shaw, Founder & CEO, Interface

Michael Shaw, founder and CEO of Interface Security Systems, makes the cover of Restaurant Technology Magazine. He shares the exciting technology innovations and superior customer experience that Interface brings to restaurant technology leaders.

Interface Security Systems is a leading provider of innovative business security, remote managed video monitoring, networking infrastructure, and video analytics solutions that provide restaurants and other hospitality businesses with next-generation technology and 24/7 management. Read the interview

Protests & Violence

After Nearly a Year of Unrest, Portland Leaders Pursue a Crackdown
Mayor Ted Wheeler said he wanted to “unmask” demonstrators who engaged in property destruction. The Oregon city has seen regular demonstrations since the murder of George Floyd.

After almost a year of near-continuous protests since the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Portland’s city leaders are signaling that it may be time for a more aggressive crackdown on the most strident street actions.

Mayor Ted Wheeler, himself a target of many of the protests as he oversaw a police department that has repeatedly turned to aggressive tactics, last week put into place a state of emergency that lasted six days and vowed to “unmask” those demonstrators who engaged in repeated acts of vandalism or arson, saying it was time to “hurt them a little bit.”

The demonstrations over racial justice and police violence have struck a chord with many Portland residents, and the mayor’s effort has infuriated some in the progressive city’s more liberal corners. Mr. Wheeler’s call for crowdsourced surveillance has alarmed civil rights advocates, and critics say the city has failed to bring an end to acts of violence by the Portland Police Bureau, a demand echoed by hundreds of demonstrators who have not destroyed property.

One of the latest flash points came this month, when a police officer fatally shot a man, Robert Delgado, in a city park — a shooting that authorities have largely not explained.

Crowd sizes have since waned, and figures such as Terry Porter, the former Portland Trail Blazers player, have called for an end to destructive demonstrations. Mr. Wheeler seemed to use last week’s conviction of Derek Chauvin as an opportunity to bring the most raucous of the protests to a close.

Those protesters often seen in identity-concealing black apparel and engaging in vandalism are a mix of anarchists and police abolitionists, said David Myers, an activist who has joined many of the city’s protests

“I think everybody in that mix wants to say they are B.L.M., but their actions show otherwise,” Mr. Myers said. nytimes.com

NYC sees bloodiest week this year with 46 separate shooting incidents
New York City endured its bloodiest week so far this year, as gun violence continues to soar ahead of what could be another violent summer.

NYPD data shows 50 people were shot in 46 separate incidents over a seven-day period ending Sunday evening — a more than 300 percent surge from the same week in 2020.

Last year, the city logged 11 shootings with 12 victims during the final full week of the month, April 20-26 — more than a month into the city’s COVID-19 lockdown, according to the data.

But the same week in 2019 saw nearly identical figures. NYPD’s weekly Compstat data uses figures from the 2020 week of May 4-10, when 13 shootings and 14 victims were reported.

This weekend alone recorded nearly two dozen shootings to cap off the violent week, according to police. The nearly year-long trend in gunplay began last spring as New Yorkers grappled with the first wave of COVID-19.

So far this year, 376 shootings have been reported with 416 victims, according to NYPD data. nypost.com

De Blasio may finally understand NYC’s crime crisis — but still won’t get serious about it
Mayor Bill de Blasio is finally announcing a few anti-crime initiatives, but nothing that has any chance of getting the crisis under control.

In the previous week alone, shootings spiked a full 250 percent over the same week last year, from 8 to 28. Rapes rose 15 percent, felony assaults 42 percent, grand larcenies 81 percent and hate crimes 500 percent. Spring must be in the air.

Murders are up, too, year-to-date. Yes, “only” 6 percent, but that follows a year when killings spiked 45 percent, to 462, nearly 60 percent more than 2018’s slayings.

Last week City Hall ordered some 80 uniformed cops to crack down on violent vagrants in Midtown. That followed desperate pleas from business groups (Vornado Realty Trust, Brookfield Properties, the Times Square Alliance) that workers and tourists won’t return, even post-COVID, unless the area’s safe.

He also says he’ll build a new NYPD precinct in southeast Queens — a project he canceled amid last year’s “Defund the police” madness, outraging the mostly black neighborhood that’s sought it for years.

For example, he’s rolling out several initiatives to address gun violence, with 200 cops focusing on hot spots. That’s fine, but he tried that last year with 300 officers — with little success.

Among the many measures he won’t take: truly re-funding the NYPD, demanding Albany fix bail reform (properly, this time), restoring broken-windows policing, redeploying anti-crime units that got guns off the streets and removing legal handcuffs slapped on police. nypost.com

Hell’s Kitchen residents fear summer of the ‘living dead’ as homeless multiply
Hell’s Kitchen residents fear a summer of the “living dead” as thousands of vagrants the city dumped in the neighborhood over the last year emerge from their homeless hotels.

A “sewer” and a “cesspool” is how longtime Hell’s Kitchen activist Marisa Redanty described the neighborhood in recent weeks, as the return of warm weather produced a sudden upswing in the presence of drug-addled and deranged homeless people on the streets of Midtown.

“This summer will be the night of the living dead,” she predicted. NYPD data shows the area’s homeless hotels have already become quality-of-life hellscapes.

“There is a direct correlation between public policy and rising crime,” said Mullins, citing among other issues legislation passed just last month making New York City the first municipality in America to end qualified immunity for police officers, while catch-and-release bail reform mean criminals are swiftly back out on the streets. nypost.com

In Nation’s Incarceration Capital, a New D.A. Is Freeing People From Prison
New Orleans DA Jason Williams is making changes to remedy excessive sentencing, obstacles to parole, and convictions made by nonunanimous juries.

In recent years, prosecutors on a mission to challenge mass incarceration have been using their power to keep people out of prison, but now they’re beginning to turn their attention to those who are already locked up. Few have pursued this as promptly and publicly as Jason Williams, the new district attorney of New Orleans, who may be setting the bar for DAs nationwide. And this focus could be transformative in New Orleans, the largest city in a state known as the nation’s incarceration capital.

“There are innocent people in jail,” said Williams, who was elected in 2020 on a progressive platform. “There are people in jail for sentences that are far longer than they should be. … There are people who got convicted without a fair trial.”

This retrospective approach to addressing injustice is taking shape beyond Louisiana too; prosecutors like George Gascón in Los Angeles County and Marilyn Mosby in Baltimore have established resentencing units that have reviewed lengthy sentences and released those serving them.

This month, the office supported the release of Guy Frank, who received a multi-bill sentence during Connick’s tenure and was in prison for 20 years for stealing two shirts. theappeal.org

New DOJ Policing Investigation
Justice Department launches investigation into Louisville policing practices

The police department has come under intense scrutiny in the year since officers killed Breonna Taylor inside her own apartment.

Attorney General Merrick Garland announced a "pattern or practice" investigation Monday into the Louisville, Kentucky, Metro Police Department, which has faced intense scrutiny and criticism in the 13 months since officers killed Breonna Taylor in her own apartment as they served a "no-knock" warrant.

"Today, the Justice Department is opening a civil investigation into the Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government and the Louisville Metro Police Department to determine whether LMPD engages in a pattern or practice of violations of the Constitution or federal law," Garland said at a news conference.

"The investigation will assess whether LMPD engages in a pattern or practice of using unreasonable force, including with respect to people involved in peaceful, expressive activities. It will determine whether LMPD engages in unconstitutional stops, searches and seizures, as well as whether the department unlawfully executes search warrants on private homes," Garland said.

"It will also assess whether LMPD engages in discriminatory conduct on the basis of race or fails to provide public services that comply with the Americans with Disability Act. Investigation will include comprehensive review of the Louisville police department's policies and training. It will also assess the effectiveness of LMPD supervision of officers and systems of accountability," he said.

The inquiry is the second "pattern or practice" investigation launched by the Justice Department in recent days. Last week, it opened an investigation into policing in Minneapolis, less than 24 hours after a jury convicted former police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd. nbcnews.com

Police Reform in America
In the 11 months since George Floyd's death, some American cities have adopted changes that go further than those enacted in Minneapolis, strengthening their civilian review processes or banning the use of tear gas for crowd control.

Some cities, such as Seattle and Denver, have joined Minneapolis in trimming their police budgets amid calls to "defund" the police. Others, such as Atlanta and Houston, have gone the opposite direction, increasing funding for their police forces.

West Hempstead Stop & Shop Reopens After Deadly Shooting

COVID Update

231M Vaccinations Given

US: 32.8M Cases - 586.6K Dead - 25.4M Recovered
Worldwide: 148.6M Cases - 3.1M Dead - 126.3M Recovered

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

Private Industry Security Guard Deaths: 279
Law Enforcement Officer Deaths: 287
*Red indicates change in total deaths

CDC says it is safe for vaccinated people to unmask outdoors
New guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says it is safe for people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to be outside without a mask, but only in small groups.

The guidance, which CDC Director Rochelle Walensky outlined during a White House press conference Tuesday, builds on previous updates from the agency about the activities people can feel comfortable with once fully vaccinated.

According to the CDC, fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks during small, outdoor gatherings even if there's a mixture of vaccinated and unvaccinated people.

Dining at an outdoor restaurant with friends from multiple households is also considered a safe activity for vaccinated people to do without a mask, the agency said.

People are considered fully vaccinated by the CDC two weeks after the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines or two weeks after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. thehill.com

Newly Reported Cases Falling on Seven-Day Average - Below 60,000 Daily
The U.S. reported more than 56,000 new cases for Monday, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University that was published early Tuesday. The data may be updated later. Monday’s figure was up from the 32,065 cases reported on Sunday, but lower than on most days last week. Daily case numbers are often lower on weekends and early in the week due to lower levels of testing. Not all states report new cases daily.

The seven-day moving average, which smooths out irregularities in the data, was 58,164 as of Sunday, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of Johns Hopkins data, while the 14-day average was 62,807. When the seven-day average is lower than the 14-day average, as it has been since April 17, it indicates cases are falling. wsj.com

In dramatic turnaround, Calif. now has the lowest COVID case rate in U.S.

Amazon starts push to vaccinate thousands of warehouse workers in Wash.

Why — and how — to incentivize employee vaccination
It's time to figure out how to get as many employees vaccinated as possible, write EY health experts.

A year into the pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting that we will go from COVID-19 vaccine supply constraints to surplus in a matter of weeks. That means it's time to figure out how to get as many of our employees vaccinated as possible, to facilitate safe workplaces and return to a new normal. hrdive.com

Mask-Wearing and Vaccine Hesitancy Threaten Herd Immunity
As summer approaches, cases of COVID-19 will decline, but a decrease in people donning masks coupled with an increase in vaccine hesitancy could lead to a surge in cases during the winter, according to experts. govtech.com

Want That Job Offer? A Covid-19 Vaccine Is Now Required.
Employers are starting to mandate shots before candidates are hired. It’s a new rule some managers are rolling out for existing employees, too.

As the U.S. job market heats up, positions operating machines in Louisville, Ky., working in offices in Houston and waiting on diners in Manhattan now require that candidates be vaccinated—or be willing to get their Covid-19 shot within 30 days of hire.

These mandates are in their early stages, making it tough to determine how many U.S. employers now require vaccines. Companies largely have been reluctant to require shots, at first because vaccines were scarce, and more recently because bosses feared blowback from their employees, employment attorneys and human-resources executives say.

Companies can legally require vaccines as a condition of employment, though they must accommodate religious beliefs or medical conditions that may keep workers from getting shots.

“The enforcement process can be pretty complicated,” Mr. Troutman says, adding that most companies requiring the shots give employees advance notice and months to comply. “I’m beginning to see a slow movement of more employers looking to require it.” wsj.com

How a Fully Connected Workforce Improves Frontline Safety
COVID-19 has highlighted the need for companies to maintain open communication with their employees, especially frontline workers.

Create a Culture of Safety with a Digitally Connected Workforce
Throughout 2020, people relied more on their mobile devices. In fact, global mobile usage jumped by 70% during the pandemic, according to statista. Those trends have presented an opportunity for companies to create a culture of safety in the workplace through a mobile-first strategy.

When a company embraces digital transformation through a mobile-first strategy, it signals a cultural shift that prioritizes the safety and well-being of their entire workforce. A digital communication platform levels the playing field and gives everyone equal access to the same information. Workers, especially those on the frontline, can receive immediate alerts, have access to safety documents and watch safety training videos—all on their smartphone. ehstoday.com

Brewing coronavirus liability shield laws create 'potential nightmare' for multi-state employers
In a pandemic, what can employers be held liable for? That's a question nearly every state, in addition to Congress, is attempting to answer.

Employers across the U.S. are aiming to calculate potential exposure as they consider vaccine policies, on-site operations and more end-of-pandemic logistics. But as different states pass different laws, employers face a "moving target" in terms of their liability, Karl Lindegren, co-chair of Fisher Phillips' California litigation practice and partner at the firm, told HR Dive in an interview.

"Every state and Congress is looking at something, given where the pandemic is," Lindegren said. "Everyone is taking different approaches."

Kentucky is the most recent state at press time to pass a law that shields businesses from certain coronavirus-related lawsuits. It joins a growing list of states that have enacted such legislation -- a list that includes Florida, West Virginia, Indiana, Alabama, Ohio and Georgia.

"I think something is likely to come out in every state setting some kind of a standard as to what they expect of employers in particular in how to deal with this," Lindegren said. Employers will need to understand, for instance, how return-to-work plans may interact with such standards. "If we order people back to work when we didn't have to, will that meet the standard for liability?" hrdive.com

Men's Clothing Boutique Owners' Virus Coverage Bid Denied
Owners of stores in a national clothing chain can't tap into coverage with Twin City Fire Insurance Co., a Louisiana federal judge has ruled, saying losses from coronavirus lockdowns were economic and not caused by any physical loss or damage to their men's clothing boutiques. law360.com

Leading Retailers Encouraged by Hearings into COVID-19 Scams, Urge Congress to Pass INFORM Consumers Act to Combat Online Fraud
Washington, DC - The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) released the following statement during the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee hearing on scams related to COVID-19. Executive Vice President, Public Affairs Michael Hanson urged Congress to combat the scams discussed in today’s hearing by passing the INFORM Consumers Act.

“Today’s hearing is a sober reminder that over the last year, while retailers across the country were investing in PPE and implementing safety protocols to protect employees and customers, criminal networks and scam artists have been using the pandemic to peddle counterfeit products, bogus remedies, knockoff vaccine cards, and other dangerous items.

“Consumers are regularly warned about buying suspicious products, but its not enough for Congress to say, ‘Buyer Beware'. We need better transparency and accountability from large marketplace platforms like Amazon and Ebay to make it harder for criminals to hide their schemes behind fake screennames and bogus information.

“We urge Congress to pass the INFORM Consumers Act to create the transparency consumers and law enforcement need to identify and weed out fraudulent sellers. Removing the anonymity on these platforms by creating basic accountability measures will protect consumers from illicit goods, aid law enforcement in their efforts to track organized crime, and make it harder for bad actors to build an illegal business and profit by selling counterfeit merchandise."

IPS Logistix receives the 2020 Outstanding Partnership Award from Homeland Security Investigation
IPS Logistix was awarded the HSI (Homeland Security Investigation) 2020 Outstanding Partnership Award. This award is presented to companies for exemplary partnership in the furtherance of public safety.

Last year, CEO Darrel Lyell initiated a strategic partnership with HSI to ensure that his company is not participating in the shipment of illegal goods out of the United States. RAC NKY provided guidance on prohibited items and regulations regarding parcel services.

Through VP of Operations Whitney Lyell’s observations and awareness, she alerted HSI to 20 suspicious shipments during FY20, which gave HSI NKY the ability to develop these shipment alerts into multiple leads and controlled deliveries on a variety of weapon components that were being exported to numerous countries. retaildive.com

Nike, Retail Workers Reach $8.25M Security Bag Check Deal
Nike Retail Services has agreed to pay $8.25 million to settle workers' claims that it didn't pay them for time spent waiting for end-of-shift security checks, according to a Friday settlement filing in California federal court. law360.com

Second Chance Business Coalition announced new members Monday
Best Buy, McD's and Walmart give ex-cons a second chance
The more than 70 million Americans with criminal records may be a valuable pool of employees as companies juggle labor shortages and jockey for more diverse workforces.

LPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon is teaming up with Craig Arnold, CEO of Eaton Corp., to co-chair an initiative that aims to foster employment opportunities for Americans with criminal records and provide a forum for member companies to share resources and advice. Other corporate participants in the Second Chance Business Coalition announced on Monday include railroad Union Pacific Corp., Best Buy Co., Microsoft Corp., General Motors Co., Bank of America Corp., McDonald’s Corp. and Walmart Inc. It's a who’s who of corporate America, and that makes this commitment incredibly striking. In total, the nearly 30 publicly traded members have a combined market value of $6.8 trillion — more than enough to make a real difference in how former convicts are treated in the hiring process.

While the U.S. unemployment rate has declined to 6% from as high as 14.8% during the worst of the pandemic, some underlying trends are rightfully raising alarms at the highest levels. Those older than 55 are steadily dropping out of the labor force, leaving employers with few options to fill job openings that are close to the highest level in at least 20 years, according to Labor Department data. chicagobusiness.com

FDA and States use Rapid Response Teams Approach to Combat Foodborne Illness through Domestic Mutual Reliance
In 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched the Rapid Response Team (RRT) state partnership program to reduce the time it takes to investigate and stop foodborne illness outbreaks. Not long after, in 2011, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) became law. After more than a decade, the 2008 RRT partnership program has proven so successful that FDA is using it as a model for expanding state partnerships to support implementation of FSMA through the Domestic Mutual Reliance program.

Domestic Mutual Reliance enables FDA and states with comparable public health systems to rely on, coordinate with, and leverage one another’s work, data, and actions to ensure food safety. These partnerships are key to the success of the New Era of Smarter Food Safety, an FDA initiative that represents a new approach to food safety, leveraging technology and other tools to create a more digital, more traceable, and safer food system.

The FDA funds RRTs in 20 states, and another four states participate in the program in a voluntary, non-funded capacity. Designed to provide an integrated and sustainable response capability for food emergencies, the RRTs have shortened the duration of foodborne illness outbreaks, preventing illness and saving lives in the process. Building on this model has potential to further improve efficiency and effectiveness of our response efforts. food-safety.com

Industries With the Highest Rates of Workplace Injuries
One of the concepts that the COVID-19 pandemic brought to the forefront of the public imagination is the idea of an “essential worker.” The pandemic highlighted that many professions are critical for allowing the rest of the economy and society to function properly, especially in a time of crisis. Some essential professionals like health workers and teachers were already held in high regard, but COVID-19 put a new spotlight on workers in oft-overlooked industries like grocery, elder care, and shipping and logistics.

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall number of cases per 100 full-time workers has been cut nearly in half over the last two decades, from 5.0 in 2003 to 2.8 in 2019. And this is part of a much longer-running trend that began with the creation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the early 1970s. When OSHA was created in 1971, the rate of injury and illness on the job was 11 per 100 workers, but that number has been on the decline ever since thanks to OSHA and other efforts to promote workplace safety.

Here are the industries with the highest rates of workplace injuries. For the purposes of the Daily, we're only listing those involved in or supporting retail. globaltrademag.com

USA Today Names Fresh Market, Hy-Vee, Lidl Best Supermarkets
Panel of 10Best local experts and contributors nominated favorite American retailers based on value, selection, service. Readers could then cast a vote for their favorite supermarket once per day for a 28-day period through the 10Best website.

The Fresh Market has been named the “Best Supermarket in America” for 2021 in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, with Hy-Vee Inc. and Lidl U.S. coming in at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively.

The complete top 10 winners in the Best Supermarket category are as follows:

1- The Fresh Market
2- Hy-Vee
3- Lidl US
4- Market Basket
5- Aldi
6- Stew Leonard's
7- Publix Supermarkets
8- Sprouts Farmers Market
9- Wegmans Food Markets
10- Trader Joe's progressivegrocer.com

Lululemon to launch resale program for 'like new' products

Dollar General to Donate More Than 100,000 Books to Elementary Schools

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Interface Unveils AI-based Autonomous Anti-Loitering System

Featuring automated voice down messages to deter intrusion before it happens

Earth City, MO (April 27, 2021) — Interface Security Systems, a leading managed service provider delivering business security, managed network, UCaaS, and business intelligence solutions to distributed enterprises, today announced a new AI-based Anti-Loitering System designed to prevent intrusions before they happen. The system features an AI-based object detection system that can detect people or vehicles and trigger pre-recorded, scenario-specific voice messages to deter loitering.

Designed to tackle after-hours perimeter control challenges such as vagrancy, intrusion, and vandalism, the Anti-Loitering System can be customized by loss prevention teams to play different warning and notification messages depending on location and dwell time. The messages played can be calibrated to first inform or educate the person before issuing a warning. Up to four custom messages can be stored and updated based on the requirements of the enterprise.

“This system addresses the unique challenges of deterring individuals from loitering on company property after hours,” said Tom Hesterman, SVP of Products and Solutions. “Our anti-loitering system also discourages people from dumping items or “casing” the property, leaving no doubt that the security system is not only functional, but very responsive and sophisticated. Simple motion control is prone to false triggers when used outside. By utilizing an intelligent IP camera that can detect people or vehicles, we eliminate false alarms and greatly enhance the effectiveness of the system.”

Video recordings associated with the autonomous Anti-Loitering System are stored locally on the camera or as part of a larger video system and can be reviewed by staff using a simple mobile interface. The system is highly customizable and can support additional automated actions such as triggering auxiliary lighting. Designed to operate as a standalone system, the Anti-Loitering System can also be integrated with an intrusion alarm system with remote monitoring or with our Virtual guard service to provide real-time remote operator intervention as part of a comprehensive security service.

About Interface Security Systems
Interface Security Systems is a leading managed services provider delivering business security, managed network, UCaaS and business intelligence solutions to distributed enterprises. We improve security, streamline connectivity, optimize operations, and reduce IT costs, maximizing ROI for the nation’s top brands. Learn more and follow us on our blog Making IT Happen and on LinkedIn.

Corporate Tech Leaders Are Mixed on EU Artificial Intelligence Bill
Some welcome clarity on personal data use, others say proposed regulations will stifle innovation

Some corporate technology leaders say a proposed clampdown by European regulators on the use of artificial intelligence will run up costs and stifle innovation, just as companies are starting to unlock its potential.

Others say stronger oversight will help build public trust in AI systems, which have inflamed tensions over data privacy, consumer protection and misuse—especially in areas like facial recognition.

Thomas Donnelly, chief information officer of software firm BetterCloud Inc., said the proposed restrictions will have a negative impact on Europe’s technology sector over the long term, as companies elsewhere gain a competitive edge by continuing to develop cheaper and more efficient AI-powered applications.

The European Union’s executive arm on Wednesday unveiled legislation that would ban the use of certain kinds of AI systems, while limiting the use of facial recognition by police.

The proposal boosts regulatory oversight and sets out higher data-quality standards for the use of AI in designated “high-risk” areas, including critical infrastructure, college admissions and loan applications.

Carol Juel, CIO of Synchrony Financial, said actions by European regulators on technology issues are influential. AI powers the credit-card issuer’s customer chatbot and helps the company catch potential fraud.

Ms. Juel said ideas from the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation have influenced how U.S. legislators approach privacy matters since the law went into effect in 2018. “Oftentimes those rules make their way across the pond,” she said.

“It is disappointing to see the leaders of democratic nations viewing AI with fear given the massive opportunities to cure diseases, avoid harms, distribute goods and services more efficiently, and create new jobs,” said Stephen Messer, co-founder and vice chairman of Collective [i], an AI company focused on optimizing the sales process. wsj.com

EU’s Proposed AI Rules Add Compliance Burden for Business Use of Facial-Recognition Technology
Fines for violations would be larger than those under GDPR

European Union regulations for how businesses can use facial-recognition technology proposed Wednesday would carry bigger fines than those permitted by the bloc’s existing privacy laws.

The proposed rules would also impose additional requirements for businesses to disclose details about facial-recognition systems to regulators and consumers, providing more privacy protections.

Under the European Commission’s proposed legislation for regulating artificial intelligence, companies using remote facial recognition to detect individuals in crowds, such as in sports arenas or shops, would need to give regulators so-called conformity assessments detailing how the technology processes data. wsj.com

Warning from the FBI, DHS & CISA
US Urges Organizations to Implement MFA, Other Controls to Defend Against Russian Attacks

Actors working for Moscow's Foreign Intelligence Service are actively targeting organizations in government and other sectors, FBI and DHS say.

The FBI, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are urging US organizations to implement multifactor authentication and other defensive mechanisms to protect against threat activity by Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR).

In a new joint advisory out today, the three entities warn government agencies, think tanks, information technology companies, and policy analysis organizations in particular to watch out for attacks from APT29, a threat group that they describe as working for the SVR.

The alert does not point to any specific new and recent threats or attacks from APT29 (aka Cozy Bear, Dukes, and Yttrium) targeting organizations in these sectors. But it does note the longstanding threat the group has posed to US organizations and the group's use of customized tools to maximize stealth and to move laterally within victim networks. Since at least 2018, the group has shifted from predominantly targeting on-premises assets to targeting cloud-hosted email and other cloud resources, the three agencies say.

This is the second time that US law enforcement has warned of SVR threat activity in the last two weeks. On April 15, shortly after the Biden administration formally attributed the SolarWinds attack to SVR, the FBI, DHS, and CISA released an advisory warning about the Russian intelligence service exploiting five known vulnerabilities in VPNs and other technologies to compromise US companies.

That advisory highlighted how, in addition to the SolarWinds supply chain attack, the SVR was responsible for several other recent campaigns, including several targeted attacks on COVID-19 research facilities. darkreading.com

Apple's new privacy feature will change the web.
And not everyone is happy about it
With the new release of iOS 14.5, and with it a new feature called App Tracking Transparency (ATT), relevant ads might now become less of a common sight. The Cupertino giant, in effect, is introducing some limitations to the data collection practices that constitute the bread-and-butter of creepy targeted advertising arising from our use of apps.

ATT was confirmed earlier this year, and it is a major blow to most modern-day online advertising strategies. The feature requires apps to get users' permission before tracking their data across other companies' apps or websites for advertising purposes. zdnet.com

CISA and NIST Release New Interagency Resource: Defending Against Software Supply Chain Attacks

To help software vendors and customers defend against these attacks, CISA and the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) have released Defending Against Software Supply Chain Attacks. This new interagency resource provides an overview of software supply chain risks and recommendations. The publication also provides guidance on using NIST’s Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM) framework and the Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF) to identify, assess, and mitigate risks.

CISA encourages users and administrators to review Defending Against Software Supply Chain Attacks and implement its recommendations. cisa.gov

Pandemic Driving New E-Commerce Trends
Convenience Increasingly Trumping Cost on Online Shoppers' Priority List
Offering items at a lower price than competitors was once an almost guaranteed method of increasing online conversion rates, but today’s consumers are increasingly prioritizing convenience across the entire shopper journey in making online purchasing decisions.

A new study from ecommerce automation platform Linnworks found that while cost is still a major factor in purchasing decisions, nearly one in two customers surveyed said that convenience was now more important to them than price in choosing which retailers they shop with.

Prioritizing convenience was, of course, amplified by COVID-19, with services like contactless pickup and fast delivery taking on a new meaning synonymous with safety last year. In fact, 78% of those surveyed said they value ease and convenience more now than they did prior to the pandemic.

This pandemic-fueled increase built on existing trends. The Linnworks study — which surveyed 1,000 U.S. and UK shoppers between December 2020 and January 2021 — saw a whopping 83% of respondents indicate that convenience was more important to them in online shopping than it was five years ago.

“Consumers have been looking for simpler ways to shop online for years,” said Callum Campbell, CEO of Linnworks in an interview with Retail TouchPoints. “However, as with most of the digital trends associated with the pandemic, the demand for simplified shopping experiences accelerated in 2020. When physical stores closed and new time pressures were placed on consumers, convenience was propelled to a top priority.”

This is backed up by a recent consumer sentiment study from the National Retail Federation, reporting that more than nine out of 10 shoppers said they are likely to pick a retailer based on convenience. Add to that the fact that 97% of respondents told the NRF they had abandoned a purchase because of lack of convenience, and you have a compelling call to action for today’s online retailers. retailtouchpoints.com

Amazon's Powerhouse Logistics Operations
Amazon Logistics’ historic growth spurt in context
Amazon has the most mature e-commerce logistics operation in the country. Through shrewd product placement and SKU selection, the company was back to pre-COVID late delivery rates by late summer. Then Amazon cranked up its beastly onboarding machine. “Last year we hired 500,000 employees and now directly employ 1.3 million people around the world,” Jeff Bezos wrote early in his final letter to shareholders as CEO.

Amazon also spent last year building. Either its warehouses had been underutilized in the past or Amazon is going to need more space simply to have room for all the new hires. The workforce has doubled in just two years, and I think it’s the latter. Dave Fildes, director of investor relations, on the Q4 earnings call said, “2020 was a big build year for us. Our [Amazon Logistics — AMZL] footprint grew around 50%.” freightwaves.com

Amazon expanding garage delivery to 5,000 cities

Reno, NV: Two Charged For Selling Over 4,500 Stolen Goods Online
Two men from the Reno area face federal charges for selling more than 4,500 stolen items online to buyers nationwide and in foreign countries, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou and Special Agent in Charge Ismael Nevarez Jr. for IRS Criminal Investigation. Gennaro Paolo Canta, 42, and Jess Legarza, 37, were indicted on one count of conspiracy and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property. In addition, Canta is charged with one count of monetary transactions in criminally derived property. Canta and Legarza made their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge William G. Cobb, who scheduled a jury trial to begin on June 21, 2021.

According to allegations in the indictment, from about June to August 2016, Canta and Legarza regularly purchased merchandise they knew had been stolen from retail stores, and then resold them online in nearly all 50 states and foreign countries. Canta received payments from the buyers and used the proceeds to buy more stolen items. In total, Canta and Legarza allegedly sold more than 4,500 stolen items online. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalties are five years in prison for conspiracy and 10 years for interstate transportation of stolen property and conducting monetary transactions in criminally derived property. An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. This case was investigated by the IRS CI and the Reno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel R. Schiess and Richard B. Casper are prosecuting the case. justice.gov

Melbourne, AU: Meet the junkie serial thief who stole so much merchandise from Bunnings that the hardware giant created an alert especially for him
A junkie who went on a stealing spree at Bunnings to fund his drug habit was caught after fleeing the scene of a car chase and mistakenly leaving his ID for police to find. Christopher Pike, 36, pleaded guilty to traffic offences, breaching his bail and stealing - which included a car, batteries, chainsaws and heaters - to Dandenong Magistrates Court in an online hearing on Monday. Pike's thieving seemed to mainly target suburban Bunnings outlets in Melbourne - crimes the chain's loss prevention team responded to by creating a store-wide alert, the Herald Sun reported.

Pike tried to steal various goods stolen from Bunnings on Facebook Marketplace to pay for his drug habit - apparently not attempting to hide his face in the posts. He also stole a rental van and drove without a license. His spree ended after he led Victorian police on a car chase and when caught, he fled the scene leaving his wallet and methadone behind. Pike's lawyer told Dandenong Magistrates Court her client was an intravenous drug user and stole to support his using. She claimed he was clean and working fulltime and trying to get his life back on track. Magistrate Andrew Halse ordered that Pike sent for a community order assessment to prove his claims of being abstinent. He is due to be sentenced on April 30. dailymail.co.uk

Monett, MO: Pharmacy owner and Pharmacist indicted on Medicaid Fraud, Forgery, Identity Theft
The owner and a pharmacy technician of Old Town Pharmacy LLC were both indicted on 34 total counts in Cole County on last Wednesday. A Cole County grand jury returned 26 counts of Violations Involving Health Care Payments (Class D Felony), 6 counts of Forgery (Class D Felony), one count of Identity Theft (Class C Felony) and one count of Stealing by Deceit (Class C Felony) against Shane Becker, the owner, and Montserrat Ortega-Saucedo, the pharmacy technician. abc17news.com

Milford, CT: Valentine's Diamond Center hit overnight with $50,000 burglary
Two suspects burglarized Valentine’s Diamond Center around 3:30 a.m. on Monday, taking off with tens of thousands of dollars in jewelry. Marilisa N. Anania, the city’s crime prevention officer, said the two suspects entered the store, and one remained outside as a lookout. She said the two took approximately $50,000 worth of items. middletownpress.com

Kennewick, GA: Police seeking Lowes repeat Shoplifter stealing thousands in merchandise

The Villages, FL: Woman with history of arrests in Connecticut nabbed at Wal-Mart in Florida

Framingham, MA: Suspect apprehended at Best Buy stealing 2 laptop, also hit TJ Maxx for $300 in merchandise

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Shootings & Deaths

Duncan, OK: Suspect, victim named after deadly Gas Station shooting
Duncan police have identified the victim and suspect in a deadly shooting at a convenience store. Duncan police chief Danny Ford says 20-year-old Malachai Stone (SIC) was shot and killed around 3:30 Tuesday morning at a Chisholm Corner gas station on Bois D’Arc. Police say around 3:15 a.m., 18-year-old Samuela Varela (SIC) was spotted at the Stripes and showed the employee there a gun, but once he noticed a second employee he took off. Chief Ford says police then checked nearby gas stations for Varela and found Stone dead at the Chisholm Corner. They later found Varela at a Love’s Gas Station in Duncan where he was arrested. kswo.com

Memphis, TN: Man arrested in shooting at Southland Mall this past September
Police have arrested a man in connection with a shooting at Southland Mall last year. The shooting happened in September 2020. According to an affidavit, Reginald Terry, 19, began shooting inside the mall. Two people were hit by gunfire and were both taken to Regional One in non-critical condition. According to the affidavit, investigators were able to recover video footage that showed the suspect firing a handgun at the victims. fox13memphis.com

Robberies, Incidents & Thefts

Tuolumne County, WA: Man Arrested After Standoff Inside General Store
An arrest in Tuolumne County after an eight-hour standoff. Deputies say they got a call about a man inside the Yosemite Lakes Country Store armed with a knife and refusing to leave. All the customers and employees got out safely. SWAT was called in, though, and eventually went in and arrested the 39-year-old suspect. He's facing several charges, including robbery. news.yahoo.com

Chicago, IL: Member of Violent Robbery Crew Sentenced to More Than 18 Years in Prison
A man has been sentenced to more than 18 years in federal prison for participating in a violent robbery crew that targeted cell phone stores in the Chicago area and downstate. ANTONIO EDWARDS and two co-defendants engaged in a conspiracy to rob a series of cell phone stores in 2017. The crew conducted takeover-style robberies in which two or three robbers would enter a store and order employees to the back of the store at gunpoint. The robbers then loaded phones into bags and fled the store. Edwards personally participated in three of the heists – in Chicago, Waukegan, and Bradley – and he brandished a gun during the Waukegan and Bradley robberies. Two other members of the robbery crew – ANDREW MCHANEY, 29, of Chicago, and JAMES BATES, 60, of Chicago – previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced to federal prison terms of more than 14 years and more than eight years, respectively. justice.gov

Poughkeepsie, NY: Thefts, attempted burglary in northeastern Dutchess believe part of out-of-state crime ring
The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office is investigating several larcenies from vehicles, three thefts of actual vehicles, and an attempted burglary, all occurring in the northeastern Dutchess County areas of Amenia and Millerton. All of the incidents occurred during the late-night/early morning hours, and in each case, the perpetrators targeted vehicles that were unlocked with key fobs inside or accessible. The attempted burglary occurred at Elizabeth’s Jewelry Store on Route 44 in Millerton during the late-night hours of April 22 and during the incident, damage was done to the building. No entry was gained and it is believed the would-be robbers fled when the alarm sounded. The thefts are thought to be part of a large organized out-of-state crime ring and the perpetrators should be considered armed and dangerous, The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office said. midhudsonnews.com

Nashville, TN: KFC employee charged with assault after destroying kitchen over food preparation
An employee of a Hermitage, Tennessee KFC tore apart the kitchen and threw multiple heavy items at a co-worker because he was mad over how they were preparing the food, according to an arrest warrant. Metro police responded around 5:45 p.m. Sunday to a disturbance on the fast food restaurant on Lebanon Pike. When officers arrived, they said they spoke with the manager who explained 20-year-old Kenneth Douglas, who works at the KFC, “became upset over how they were preparing the food” and started “tearing the kitchen apart and throwing stuff around.” The police report alleges Douglas threw a metal rack and a fire extinguisher at another employee during the incident. The estimated damage to the kitchen was more than $1,000, according to the manager. wjhl.com

Chicago, IL: 2 men shot and critically wounded inside a Lawndale convenience store

Erie, PA: Guilty plea entered in ATM-skimming scheme that netted nearly $50,000; Defendant has 3 aliases; evidence suggests he could be from Hungary or Romania

City of Chicago Sues Gary, Indiana Gun Store, Claiming It Sold Guns That Wound Up In Chicago

Sharonville, OH: Third man pleads guilty in gun store smash-and-grab

● C-Store - Tuolumne County, WA - Armed Robbery
● C-Store – San Antonio, TX – Armed Robbery
● CVS – Johnson City, TN – Robbery
● CVS – Hamden, CT – Robbery
● Dollar Tree – Eastpointe, MI - Armed Robbery
● Gas Station – Windsor Locks, CT – Armed Robbery
● Gas Station – Duncan, OK – Armed Robbery
● Grocery – Mumford, NY – Armed Robbery
● Jewelry – Milford, CT – Burglary
● Jewelry – Waterford, CT – Robbery
● Jewelry – Santa Fe, NM – Robbery
● Jewelry – Beaufort, SC – Robbery
● Jewelry – Plainfield, IN – Robbery
● Jewelry – Lufkin, TX – Robbery
● Jewelry - Woodbridge, VA – Robbery
● Metro/ T-Mobile – Pasco, WA – Armed Robbery
● Restaurant – Denton, TX – Armed Robbery
● Walgreens – Berkeley, CA – Robbery
● Walgreens – Rockford, IL – Robbery
● Walgreens – Little Rock, AR – Armed Robbery

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

Click to enlarge map

Patrick Campbell named Distribution Center AP Manager for Rite Aid

Rite Aid is pleased to announce that Patrick Campbell has joined the company as the DC AP Manager for the Lancaster, CA Distribution Center and the Thrifty Ice Cream plant in El Monte, CA. Patrick is a native of Southern California and has worked in retail asset protection and security for more than 20 years holding positions at the district, regional, and director levels. He holds a Bachelor’s degree, and a Master's degree in Criminal Justice. He is currently a Doctoral candidate for a PhD in Organizational Leadership.

Kevin Brown named Regional AP Leader for Rite Aid

Rite Aid is pleased to announce that Kevin Brown has joined the company as a Regional Asset Protection Leader, supporting the Akron/Canton, Ohio area. Previously Kevin was with Macy's for 15 years in a variety of roles in Operations, Sales and Asset Protection.

Rachel Beltran named Regional AP Leader for Rite Aid

Rite Aid is pleased to announce that Rachel Beltran has joined the company as a Regional Asset Protection Leader, supporting the Dayton/Lima, Ohio areas. Previously, Rachel was with Macy's for 21 years in Asset Protection and sales.

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Featured Job Spotlights

Division Asset Protection - Herald Square & NYC
Brooklyn, NY - posted April 14

As Senior Director, Asset Protection you will serve as subject matter expert in the following areas: shortage, fraud, investigations, legal compliance, and training. Create and implement AP strategies in partnership with VP, Asset Protection. Manage, direct, & deploy District Managers of Investigations (DMIs) to support districts & stores...

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The Regional Loss Prevention & Safety Manager implements Risk Management and Loss Prevention objectives within assigned region. The position will provide assistance and training to the field operations teams to address specific Risk Management and Loss Prevention issues within an assigned span of control. Read job description here

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Vice President
Associate VP, AP	Bath & Body Works	Columbus, OH	April 19
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Dir. AP Investigations	Bloomingdale's	Long Island City, NY	March 16
Sr. Dir. Risk Management, LP & Safety	Goodwill of Central Florida	Orlando, FL	April 6
Dir. Safety/Risk Mgmt.	Goodwill of SE Louisiana	New Orleans, LA	April 2
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Sr. Dir. AP	Macy's	Herald Square & NYC	April 6
Executive Dir. AP	Panda Restaurant Group	Rosemead, CA	January 28
Dir. of Loss Prevention	Parker's C-Stores	Savannah, GA	June 3
Dir. Enterprise Risk Management	Publix Employees Federal Credit Union	Lakeland, FL	April 20
Director, AP Finance & Analytics	Rite Aid	United States	January 26
Dir. LP Insight & Intelligence	Sally Beauty	Denton, TX	March 26
Exec Dir-Corporate Security	Verizon	Basking Ridge, NJ	March 9
Dir. AP Solutions	Walgreens	Deerfield, IL	January 28
Corporate/Senior Manager
AP Operation Manager	Follett Corporation	Westchester, IL	January 7
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At the end of most interviews, candidates are given the opportunity to ask questions. Surprisingly enough, most candidates are unprepared for that question, itself. So take the time in your preparation to develop a few well thought out questions that reflect your knowledge of the company, their future plans and how you fit within them. Certainly your questions should also focus around the variables that increase the success of the specific position you're applying for and not deal with the benefits, salary, or work schedule, travel requirements, or expenses. As these questions will turn off an interviewer and are premature. Your questions should be a reflection of the type of executive you are and will be if they hire you and therefore should be designed to show how you'll be successful and valuable for their organization.

Just a Thought,
Gus

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