Agilence Exec Shares Strategies to Boost Security & Fight Surging Crime
The post-COVID crime surge demands a shift in loss prevention policies

The Post-COVID Surge of In-Store Violence & Evolving Loss Prevention Policies

By Brian Brinkmann, Chief Product & Marketing Officer, Agilence

The retail world has seen a major shift in crime since COVID-19 hit. Before the pandemic, retail crime mostly meant shoplifting — sneaky folks trying to swipe products without getting caught. But now, we’re seeing a worrying trend toward more violent behavior. This new wave of aggression is putting employees, customers and store property at risk.

Boosting Store Security: 6 Key Strategies

1. Improve Access Control: Managing the number of people in a store is crucial. Touchless access systems with facial recognition can help identify authorized employees and flag potential intruders quickly.

2. Implement Anti-Theft Devices: Modern tools like radio-frequency identification (RFID) and electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems can detect theft at exits and improve deactivation at checkout. These are especially effective against organized retail crime (ORC).

3. Outsource Retail Security Management: Not all retailers can afford a full-time security team, so options like remote monitoring systems are cost-effective. Professional loss prevention support can keep an eye on stores and products, with expert teams monitoring video footage and reporting suspicious activity.

4. Conduct Fraud Training: Regular fraud training shows that theft won’t be tolerated and helps employees recognize and report suspicious activities. As ORC gangs get more sophisticated, continuous training keeps staff informed and vigilant.

5. Use Analytics to Monitor Employee Theft: Combining analytics with video monitoring lets retailers keep an eye on employees and inventory, reducing theft opportunities and minimizing losses.

6. Train Employees to Handle Violence: Equip employees with advanced training to confidently manage violent situations, including conflict avoidance techniques.

Prioritizing Safety Without Sacrificing Customer Experience

The surge in in-store violence post-COVID has significantly impacted the retail industry, demanding a shift in loss prevention policies. Retailers now must prioritize safety while still addressing theft. By adopting comprehensive security measures — like better access control, advanced anti-theft devices, and ongoing training — retailers can navigate these new challenges and better protect their environments.  retailtouchpoints.com


Circle K Cited by Labor Department for Not Following Safety Procedures
The chain could have prevented a store cashier in Orlando from suffering a serious gunshot injury by following the company’s own established safety procedures

US Department of Labor cites leading convenience store chain for serious violation after gunmen shoot cashier in Orlando robbery

Circle K Stores Inc. failed to protect employee from workplace violence

ORLANDO, FL – A subsidiary of one of the world’s best-known operators of convenience stores and fueling stations could have prevented a store cashier in Orlando from suffering a serious gunshot injury by following the company’s own established safety procedures, a U.S. Department of Labor investigation has found.

“People employed by late or all-night businesses, such as gas stations, convenience stores and drive-through fast food restaurants face a high probability of violent incidents as few witnesses, accessible cash, poorly lit stores and darkened parking areas often attract dangerous thieves,” explained OSHA Area Director Erin Sanchez in Orlando, Florida. “Gratefully, the cashier in this case survived the attack, but not all workers at Circle K and other similar businesses have been as fortunate.”

OSHA cited Circle K Stores Inc. with one serious violation for failing to provide a place of employment free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. The agency has proposed $16,131 in penalties, the maximum amount allowed by federal statute. The company has contested the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

A review of OSHA investigations of Circle K locations since 2014 finds five workers suffered fatal gunshot injuries at two locations in Texas in August 2021 and December 2018, Georgia in September 2019, Florida in June 2016 and Alabama in December 2015. The majority of these incidents took place in the evening or overnight hours.

Deterrents to help late-night retailers protect employees from workplace violence include interior and exterior security cameras, cash register barriers or enclosures, a drop safe or cash management device, proper lighting inside and outside the store and signage explaining the register holds $50 or less.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health cites robbery-related homicides and assaults as the leading cause of death for retail workers. In 2019, the rate of deadly workplace violence among convenience store workers was 14 times higher than the overall rate for private industry workers.   dol.gov


Key Takeaways of California's Newly Passed Retail Theft Package
California Takes Action: New Legislation Targets Retail Crime Surge

California Government Tackles Retail Crime with New Bill Package

Key Takeaways

Legislative Action on Retail Crime: The California Legislature has passed ten bipartisan bills addressing retail theft and property crime, now awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom’s approval.

California Retail Theft Reduction Act (AB 2943): A key component of the legislative package introduces a new crime classification for possessing stolen goods over $950 with intent to resell, punishable by up to three years in prison.

Online Marketplace Regulations: New laws require online sellers to prove the legality of their products and larger retailers to share data with law enforcement to combat the sale of stolen goods.

Expanded Legal Provisions: Additional bills include extending jurisdiction for prosecuting theft, making the California Highway Patrol’s organized retail crime task force permanent, and increasing penalties for related crimes.

Prop. 36 on November Ballot: This proposition seeks to revise the felony threshold for theft, potentially leading to stricter penalties for repeat offenders.

Balanced Approach to Reform: Lawmakers aim to tackle retail crime effectively without undoing criminal justice reforms like Prop. 47, which has contributed significantly to reducing prison overcrowding.

Governor’s Decision Pending: Governor Newsom is expected to sign the bills soon, although no definitive timeline has been provided. theimpression.com


Tracking Violent Crime in California
New survey tracks changes in violent crime in large California cities

Oakland’s midyear homicide total falls from 2023, though rate of killings still far higher than national number

A new national survey shows some major California cities experiencing a drop in violent crime this year, though the change also shows in higher numbers in other locales.

The national survey found decreases across all four categories -- homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault -- tracked in several major California cities: Oakland, Sacramento and San Francisco. In other cities, such as San Jose, violent crime rose year-over-year in some categories but fell in others. Officials in San Jose attributed the changes to a new reporting system in use by the city’s police.

In Oakland, the number of reported homicides went from 52 in 2023 to 47 this year, the lowest level since 2020. That marks a decrease of nearly 10 percent.

A decrease in violent crime was also seen in San Francisco, where 17 homicides were reported, cutting the number of killings in the first half of 2023 by more than 30 percent in the city of more than 800,000 residents. The city also reported about 200 fewer robberies between this year and last year.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed’s office pointed to grant funding from the state and the use of new technology such as drones and cameras as factors that have benefitted crime in the city. Her office added that she is making efforts to fully staff the police department and work with the district attorney to hold people accountable for crime. mercurynews.com


Popular way for stores to deter crime, is deterring customers as well
 
Video: Stores could be seeing a drop in sales from locking up merchandise
 

Using AI for Workplace Safety
Counter Biases with Artificial Intelligence

Learn how millions of data points can help you better calculate risk and take action before workers get hurt.

The human brain does plenty of amazing things, including helping humans stay alive. The brain assesses threats, avoids dangers and maintains all the daily functions. But it does have weaknesses, including accurately predicting risk. That’s where artificial intelligence (AI) comes into play—and why it is uniquely able to make substantial improvements in workplace safety.

Too often, we simply use AI, computer vision and other advanced tools on the floor to do smaller things. Owens Corning and a few others are using AI and advanced analytics to help determine strategy and focus where they need to work and assess how good their existing systems are.

The problem is how poor humans are at estimating risk, particularly of infrequent events like serious injuries and fatalities. We get the lessons from thinking fast and slow, from common and temporary security, but we have huge cognitive biases and deficits when it comes to estimating the risk or estimating infrequent events.

So, if we use AI tools and advanced analytics, we can overcome that hurdle and invest our limited resources, our limited money and our limited people on the proper risks.

How do you predict an event, a very infrequent event, that’s never happened at your site before? I think the answer lies in advanced AI, natural language processing tools and other, external data to supplement company data.  ehstoday.com


In Case You Missed It

Safety is Top Issue in Keeping Employees Happy
Good Safety Cultures Can Attract and Retain Talent

Workers need to know that their companies value their safety above all else.

By now most hiring managers are used to hearing job candidates ask about their companies' environmental record or even their DE&I policies. Fielding questions about a company's safety record isn't quite as common, and yet job candidates and current employees are very focused on safety.

While this interest in workplace safety might have intensified with the pandemic, it has since expanded to a variety of forms of safety, both physical and psychological.

"Employees everywhere have experienced multiple crises over the past few years that have altered their view of the world and their perceptions of safety outside of the comfort of their homes," said Christopher Kenessey, CEO at AlertMedia, when announcing his company's report, The State of Employee Safety, in 2023. "These events impact how employees show up to work daily, and we're seeing a growing desire among workers for employers to implement a more integrated and hands-on approach to ensuring their safety, regardless of whether they're working in the office, from home, in the field or while traveling for business."

According to the report, 75% of employees say their employer's safety efforts have not been very effective. And the reason for that is that 71% of employees feel their employers are not following through on safety promises. They are also concerned about emergency situations, since 83% have experienced an emergency at work at some point in their careers. A similar number of employees (84%) believe that their employers can do more to make them feel prepared to face emergencies at work.

In addition to physical safety, employees and potential hires are concerned about psychological safety. The survey found that 66% of employees say their employer is not making an active effort to support their mental health. In fact, 62% note that their organization does not provide resources for mental health, and 67% say their workplace culture does not allow for open dialogue about mental health.  ehstoday.com


Experience is Key to Winning Retail's Future
Should Department Stores Offer a VIP Experience?
When it comes to department stores, just 1% of the highest spenders contribute to around 25% of sales, while the top 20% of spenders are responsible for 80% of the stores’ revenue, according to Inside Retail.

As a result, South Korean department stores have been enhancing the VIP shopping experience in recent years by renovating their stores and expanding their concierge services for top-tier customers. One such retailer, the Galleria Department Store, opened up a VIP clubhouse location in late 2019 to tailor to its biggest spenders. Only shoppers who spend at least 40 million won a year have access to the special location and what’s inside.

The benefits of having regular VIP shoppers at a department store can be formidable. If VIP consumers enjoy repeat shopping, they will contribute regular revenue and can also bring awareness to other VIPs and consumers in general.

Retail Pro International, a software company, explained that having VIP experiences can build loyalty for luxury retailers. “Customers spending thousands of dollars expect to feel valued,” the company stated. “These programs go the extra mile for clients who are not only big spenders but often also influencers.” retailwire.com


Falling Retail Vacancy Rates
New Jersey retail vacancy rates continue to drop
Available retail space in New Jersey is on pace to hit a record low of 3% by the end of the year.

The Garden State is on track to set a new record-low vacancy rate for the third consecutive year, according to according to brokerage firm Marcus & Millichap’s 2Q 2024 Northern New Jersey Retail market report. The data comes as New York City’s vacancy rates continue to drop as well, especially in select submarkets. chainstoreage.com


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