The LP Benevolent Fund Provides Grant to Family of Industry Vanguard, Stuart Rosenthal

Huntington Station, NY – 1/5/2026 – The face of the LP industry was forever altered on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 with the sudden and untimely death of Stuart Rosenthal while travelling on LP-industry business. An industry beacon, Stuart leaves an indelible mark on all who had the privilege to know him.

As the LP industry joins his family in mourning his loss, and in an effort to ease some portion of the burden his family now bears, the LP Benevolent Fund Board of Directors, in accordance with the fund’s grant guidelines, has approved a grant of $15,000 to go directly to Stuart’s beloved wife and family.

"The LP Benevolent Fund is supported through the generosity of the Loss Prevention Foundation, the wider LP industry, and their donations to annual fundraising events at the RILA AP Conference, the Swing for Certification golf outing, and NRF Protect," said Jim Cosseboom, LPBF Board Chair. "In appreciation of the LP industry’s outstanding support, this gift is offered on behalf of the loss prevention community as a whole and in honor of Stuart – a one-of-a-kind friend, partner, mentor, collaborator, and supporter."

Click here to read the full press release.
 

Nationwide Retail Crime Blitzes Paid Off During Holiday Season
Holiday Retail Crime Blitzes Proved Effective in Disrupting Organized Theft

By the D&D Daily staff

During the 2025 holiday shopping season, coordinated retail crime blitzes across multiple states demonstrated that focused, short-term enforcement efforts can produce meaningful results against organized retail theft.

Retailers traditionally experience their highest theft volumes during the holiday period, driven by increased foot traffic, higher inventory levels and the resale value of popular gift items. In response, many jurisdictions partnered with retailers, local police and state task forces to launch targeted “blitz” operations aimed at deterring theft and identifying repeat offenders.

These blitzes typically combined increased uniformed presence, plainclothes surveillance, license-plate tracking and real-time communication between stores and law enforcement. Rather than relying on random patrols, agencies focused resources on known hot-spot locations and peak shopping days such as Black Friday, weekends before Christmas and post-holiday return periods.

The results were tangible. Across several regions, law enforcement reported hundreds of arrests tied to organized retail theft rings, along with the recovery of stolen merchandise valued in the millions of dollars. In many cases, suspects apprehended during blitzes were already linked to broader criminal networks involving resale operations, online marketplaces and cross-jurisdiction theft crews.

Retailers also reported an immediate deterrent effect. Stores participating in blitz operations saw noticeable drops in brazen grab-and-run incidents during enforcement windows. Asset protection teams noted improved response times and stronger cooperation with police, allowing incidents to be addressed before suspects could flee or disperse stolen goods.

Importantly, holiday blitzes also generated valuable intelligence. Arrests made during these operations often led to the identification of additional accomplices, fencing operations and repeat offenders operating across multiple retailers. This information can be used to support longer-term investigations well beyond the holiday season.

While retail crime blitzes are not a permanent solution, the 2025 holiday season reinforced their value as a tactical tool. When enforcement is visible, coordinated and intelligence-driven, it can disrupt organized theft activity at critical moments and send a clear message to offenders.

For retailers, the takeaway is clear: proactive collaboration with law enforcement, combined with data-driven deployment of resources, can significantly reduce risk during the busiest — and most vulnerable — times of the year.


AI Anti-Theft Tech Takes Off
BBC reporter evaluates AI anti-shoplifting solutions as US retailers enhance security for 2025 operations
A recent report saw a BBC reporter actively engaging with and testing some of these cutting-edge AI anti-shoplifting technologies, providing an on-the-ground perspective on their practical application and current efficacy. This firsthand evaluation offers valuable insights into how these systems function within live retail settings and their potential impact on both security personnel and shoppers.

The reporter’s experience highlighted several key aspects of modern AI retail security:

* Automated detection of unusual movements or item removals without scanning.
* Integration with existing surveillance infrastructure for comprehensive monitoring.
* Real-time alerts for staff to intervene or observe suspicious individuals.

Evolution of retail security measures

The retail sector’s adoption of AI represents a significant leap from traditional security methods, which primarily relied on human surveillance, basic alarms, and physical deterrents. For years, stores struggled with the scale and sophistication of organized retail crime, leading to billions in losses. The current wave of AI applications is designed to provide a more comprehensive and preventative layer of security, analyzing vast amounts of data almost instantaneously to identify patterns that might indicate illicit activity before it escalates.

This technological shift began gaining traction around the early 2020s, with pilot programs demonstrating promising results in reducing inventory shrinkage. Many leading retail chains are not only expanding these systems but also refining their deployment strategies, often integrating multiple AI-powered tools to create a layered defense. This includes not just cameras but also sensors embedded in shelves, smart gates, and even predictive analytics that use past data to anticipate high-risk periods or locations within a store.

AI anti-shoplifting technology in action

One of the primary applications involves advanced computer vision systems that continuously monitor store aisles and checkout areas. These systems are trained on vast datasets to recognize behaviors typically associated with shoplifting, such as concealing items, bypassing payment points, or tampering with product packaging.

When a suspicious action is detected, the AI system immediately flags it for human review, sending alerts to security personnel or store managers via mobile devices or central monitoring stations. This allows for prompt and targeted intervention, often before an item has even left the store. The goal is to act discreetly and effectively, minimizing disruption to legitimate shoppers.

Additionally, some cutting-edge solutions incorporate AI-driven analysis of body language and gait, attempting to identify individuals who might pose a higher risk based on learned patterns. While highly effective in controlled tests, their broader deployment in public spaces raises ongoing discussions about accuracy and privacy implications. mixvale.com.br


Ripple Effect of Retail Violence
Memphis Restaurant Shootout Puts Retail Security in Focus
The Memphis restaurant shootout on 5–6 January drew attention to safety at dining and retail venues. Police say shots were fired inside an East Memphis seafood restaurant, with no injuries and an active investigation. For German investors, the incident matters because headlines can pressure consumer foot traffic, raise retail security costs, and shift insurance risk pricing for US‑exposed portfolios. We review the facts, assess near‑term demand signals, and outline practical monitoring steps for Q1 2026 across retail, leisure, and commercial property holdings.

What happened and why it matters

Police reported gunfire during a confrontation inside the Red Pier Seafood restaurant in East Memphis. No injuries were recorded. Local outlets detail that one man acted in self-defense and two people were detained as detectives review video evidence and witness statements. See coverage from Action News 5 and WREG. Further updates from Memphis Police will guide sentiment over the next few days.

Events like the Memphis restaurant shootout can weigh on short‑term dining visits and nearby retail activity, especially until police confirm arrests or clear timelines. German-listed retailers, brands, and REITs with US locations could see localized softness, while insurers with US commercial exposure may reassess deductibles or terms. Early signals often appear in weekend footfall, store hour changes, and temporary security measures at comparable sites.

Security and insurance costs in focus

Headline risk can reduce discretionary trips. After a high‑profile incident, families often delay dining out or choose daytime visits, affecting evening covers and bar mix. This can spill over to adjacent shops through lower consumer foot traffic. Watch social posts, Google Maps busyness indicators, and reservation data to gauge whether the Memphis restaurant shootout dampens local demand and for how long.

Operators may add visible measures such as extra guards, camera upgrades, and staff training. These steps lift retail security costs and can influence policy renewals if underwriters raise perceived location risk. For German insurers and brokers with US clients, the Memphis restaurant shootout may prompt closer scrutiny of loss‑prevention protocols, incident reporting, and contractual security standards in leases. meyka.com


'Enforce the Law, and People Stop Breaking It'
Harger: WA leads the nation in retail theft. Issaquah shows how to fix it
In most cities around here, you can walk into a store, fill a bag, and walk out. Maybe a security guard yells. Maybe a cop shows up 45 minutes later with a citation. Maybe you get a court date and skip it. Maybe a warrant gets issued that nobody serves. At every step, the odds favor walking away. Thieves know this. They’ve learned it.

Then they try it in Issaquah. Different rules. Issaquah has its own jail. They run stings with loss prevention. They book you on the spot. And suddenly, all those outstanding warrants from Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett pop up in the system.

Shoplifting in Issaquah dropped 15% last year. Not a coincidence.

Some background. King County lifted its misdemeanor booking restrictions last February. During COVID, the jail wouldn’t take low-level offenders. Staffing shortages. Capacity issues. Fine. But that ended over a year ago. Seattle can book shoplifters now. The policy changed. The culture didn’t. And we’re paying for it.

Fred Meyer is closing stores across the region. Theft was a major factor. Nobody who’s shopped at one of those stores is surprised. I talked about this last year. It was the drugs driving the problem. Still is. But it’s also the stealing. And it’s also the complete absence of accountability that lets both spiral out of control.

Issaquah proved it doesn’t have to be this way. Enforce the law, and people stop breaking it. Not because they suddenly become model citizens. Because they learn the odds have changed.

The rest of us have the same tools now. We have jail beds. We have laws on the books. We have stores begging for help. The only thing missing is the will to act.

We get what we tolerate. And right now, we’re tolerating way too much. mynorthwest.com

   RELATED: LETTER: Closing stores due to retail theft


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