Inside Look at Undercover Anti-Theft Ops in California
Ride-along: Watch Sacramento County sheriff's deputies conduct Operation Hot August Nights
The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office is doubling down on retail theft. The organized retail theft unit conducted a second undercover operation over the weekend, made possible by a $9 million state grant.

The five-day operation called Hot August Nights resulted in 360 citations, 216 trespass notices, 240 misdemeanors, 20 felonies, 9 towed vehicles and deputies recovering $22,000 in stolen merchandise. KCRA 3 News rode along for one night of the operation.

The deputies were broken up into four teams of about 40 deputies. They all met at the department first to gear up for another shift of shaking down shoplifters. Deputies are trying to put a dent in the nearly $8 billion California businesses lose every year to thieves.

"We are out here enforcing theft crimes, and that the days of being able to just run rampant and do whatever you want are coming to an end," said Detective Andy Cater. Cater led one of four teams watching four different retail stores.

The well-organized operation began at 2 p.m., and right away, deputies came across a man they called a repeat offender. The operation consisted of the coordinated teamwork of about 40 deputies.

Undercover deputies were watching inside the store. Another team worked with the store's loss prevention crew, observing security cameras. Others were stationed outside, and that's where KCRA 3 cameras were along for the ride.

Another team was back at the sheriff's office and they were all in constant communication by radio and text. The deputies inside the store alerted the deputies stationed outside about the suspects' descriptions and what they were accused of stealing.

Their work stopping shoplifters isn't done, and the organized retail theft team will be back and do it all again another day. kcra.com


States Continue to Struggle with ORC - But They're Fighting Back
Organized retail crime costs Illinois retailers, consumers, taxpayers

Illinois retailers, consumers & taxpayers are paying a price for organized retail crime.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul told The Center Square that organized retail crime involves much more than just smash-and-grab incidents.

“It’s rail theft. It’s theft from warehouses, theft from big box stores, the Home Depots, the Walmarts and so forth. It’s not just in urban areas. It’s throughout the state,” Raoul said.

Raoul said his office has worked with local, state and federal law enforcement partners on this issue. Raoul added that he established the Illinois Organized Retail Crime Task Force in 2021, after a government affairs person from Home Depot tipped him off to the organized crime element of retail theft.

Illinois taxpayers are spending $5 million on the task force in fiscal year 2025. According to Capital One Shopping, retail thefts cost Illinois an estimated $185 million in tax revenue in 2022.

Capital One Shopping also found that 70.7% of retailers nationwide reported an increase in organized retail crime incidents over five years.

Retail Industry Leaders Association Vice President of Asset Protection Khris Hamlin told The Center Square that organized theft is definitely a growing problem: “We can talk numbers up and down and all around all day long, but the fact of it is that retailers are seeing an uptick in this activity,” Hamlin said.

Hamlin said the Retail Industry Leaders Association has partnered with the National District Attorneys Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police to address the issue.

“When you bring all these collaborative parties together, that’s when you start the effort of slowing down the activity. Most importantly, how do you end or slow down recidivism,” Hamlin said.  cities929.com


Giant Food's New Ban of Unaccompanied Minors Makes More Headlines
Supermarket chain bans unaccompanied minors after 6 pm, large bags amid out-of-control theft

New rules to affect all Giant Food locations in Washington, DC

A supermarket chain is banning unaccompanied minors inside select stores after 6 p.m. and large bags in Washington, D.C., and Maryland as part of a new policy aimed at curbing rampant retail theft.

Giant Food confirmed to Fox News Digital in a statement on Monday that the chain’s revised policy will affect select stores "to mitigate the unprecedented levels of product theft" that has made business "unsustainable."

"Retail theft in our market area affects everyone," Giant Foods said in a statement. "It limits product availability, creates a less convenient shopping experience, and, most critically, puts our associates and customers in harm’s way."

The chain’s new policy, which went into effect on Thursday, will affect all seven locations in D.C., two in Baltimore and three in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

The measure bans those under 18 from entering its stores without an adult after 6 p.m. and bags larger than 14 inches by 14 inches by 6 inches are prohibited in most stores. In stores that allow large bags, customers must consent to having the bag tagged before entering and searched before leaving.

As retail theft remains a glaring issue in cities across the country since the coronavirus pandemic, Capital One data shows that retailers in Washington, D.C., lost $120 million in revenue to theft in 2022, causing the city to lose $7.21 million in retail sales tax dollars. foxnews.com


Mall Mass Shooting Lawsuit
Allen outlet mall 'ignored' police requests for more officers before mass shooting, lawsuit says

The lawsuit alleges that the mall's ownership group and security service knew the "high risk" of incidents at the mall.

A lawsuit filed on behalf of the Allen outlet mall shooting victims and their families alleged that the mall's ownership and security service did not properly staff the mall with security, despite requests from Allen Police Department to add more officers.

The lawsuit, filed on Aug. 24, alleged that Simon Property Group, which owns the Allen Premium Outlets, and the outlets' security contractor, Allied Universal Security Services, knew of the "high risk" of crime at the mall but "ignored" requests from Allen police to add more officers or guards.

The lawsuit alleged that the Allen Police Department, in the three years before the May 6, 2023 shooting, had responded to "more than 3,000 calls" at the outlet mall, including, in some instances, dozens of times per day.

The lawsuit alleged that the security incidents "resulted in outcry from government officials," including Allen police officials advocating "for dozens of uniformed officers to adequately secure such a large, densely populated outdoor setting."

"Simon and Allied ignored these requests and failed to provide any comparable level of security as an alternative," the lawsuit said. The lawsuit said mall owners and operators, as well as their security companies, "are responsible for assessing vulnerabilities" and keeping shoppers safe.

"Done right, proper security decreases the risk of mass gun violence," the lawsuit said. "But Simon and Allied unevenly allocated security resources across demographic areas, ignoring location-specific threats and dangers posed at certain malls such as the Allen Premium Outlets."  wfaa.com


Using AI to Fill Out Police Reports
Police officers are starting to use AI chatbots to write crime reports. Will they hold up in court?

Oklahoma City’s police department is one of a handful to experiment with AI chatbots to produce the first drafts of incident reports.

A body camera captured every word and bark uttered as police Sgt. Matt Gilmore and his K-9 dog, Gunner, searched for a group of suspects for nearly an hour.

Normally, the Oklahoma City police sergeant would grab his laptop and spend another 30 to 45 minutes writing up a report about the search. But this time he had artificial intelligence write the first draft. Pulling from all the sounds and radio chatter picked up by the microphone attached to Gilbert’s body camera, the AI tool churned out a report in eight seconds.

Oklahoma City’s police department is one of a handful to experiment with AI chatbots to produce the first drafts of incident reports. Police officers who’ve tried it are enthused about the time-saving technology, while some prosecutors, police watchdogs and legal scholars have concerns about how it could alter a fundamental document in the criminal justice system that plays a role in who gets prosecuted or imprisoned. nbcnews.com


Jury selection begins in trial of man accused of King Soopers mass shooting

Hilton shutters airport hotel on Oakland's crime-plagued Hegenberger Road
 

Retailers Must Prepare for New OSHA 'Walkaround Rule'
New OSHA Compliance Strategies for Luxury Retail Industry Companies
Recent labor law, workplace safety regulation, and antitrust enforcement developments are creating an increasingly complex regulatory landscape for luxury retail industry employers. Companies must navigate an array of compliance challenges at the state and federal level, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) new “union walkaround” rule and evolving employment laws such as Fair Workweek and salary disclosure mandates.

OSHA COMPLIANCE AND THE NEW UNION WALKAROUND RULE

A major change in OSHA inspection procedures is the new Worker Walkaround Representative Designation Process, or "union walkaround rule," which allows compliance officers to bring third-party representatives for workplace inspections, even at nonunionized sites. This gives union organizers and worker advocacy groups potential access to previously restricted areas of luxury retail stores and manufacturing facilities during OSHA visits. This includes when customers are in the store during operating hours.

Best practices for luxury retail employers to prepare for this change include the following:

• Updating OSHA inspection policies and procedures, including guidance for frontline managers on how to respond if an inspector arrives with a third-party representative

• Considering whether to require search warrants for inspections rather than voluntarily allowing access

• Developing site confidentiality agreements for all visitors to protect trade secrets and sensitive information

• Training managers on how to professionally interact with third-party representatives while protecting company interests

• Reviewing site security and access protocols, particularly for nonpublic areas such as stock rooms and areas where product is being worked on

While legal challenges to this rule are pending, luxury retail employers should still prepare for changes as the rule remains in effect. Having clear policies and well-trained staff can help minimize disruption if inspectors arrive with union representatives or other third parties in tow.  jdsupra.com


FTC Continues to Wage War on Kroger-Albertsons Merger
Surging grocery prices in focus as US tries to stop Kroger deal
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission argued in federal court on Monday that Kroger's $25 billion merger with rival grocer Albertsons is bad for shoppers in a case that highlights growing alarm over surging grocery prices.

The FTC and several states went to trial in Portland, Oregon, to block the deal, saying it would mean higher prices for consumers and less bargaining power for unionized grocery workers.

FTC Chief Trial Counsel Susan Musser told U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson during opening statements in a packed courtroom that it would result in Kroger "swallowing" Albertsons.

"Stopping this multibillion-dollar deal will keep in place the vigorous competition that acts as a check on rising grocery prices and spurs improvements in quality and innovation," she said.

Kroger attorney Matthew Wolf said in an opening statement that the merger would immediately lower some prices for shoppers at Albertsons, where prices are now 10-12% higher than at Kroger stores. The FTC's bid to bring down prices by blocking the deal shows "they neither understand the industry nor the parties within it," Wolf said. reuters.com


1,525 New Locations - 500K Associates
Spirit Halloween to open record number of seasonal stores

Spirit Halloween is going bigger than ever this year.

The seasonal retailer will open a record-breaking 1,525 locations this year in the United States and Canada, the majority of which (more than 1,100) are already open. Locations can be found here.

Spirit’s theme for this year’s Halloween season is “Spirit Carnevil,” which gives shoppers an in-store experience featuring a large carnival area with an archway, multiple booths and a funhouse.

Earlier this year, Spirit said it was looking to hire 50,000 seasonal sales associates and store managers to support its stores this year. Last year, the chain aimed to hire 40,000 workers for a similar number of stores. chainstoreage.com


Consumer confidence inches up in August to highest level in six months
The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index rose in August to a better-than-expected reading of 103.3 — its highest reading since February — from an upwardly revised 101.9 in July.

Big Lots offers $5.2M in retention bonuses to 4 executives

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