Strengthen Retail Security & Enhance Workplace Safety with
Off-Duty Law Enforcement

Discover how off-duty law enforcement enhances safety and deters crime while protecting employees and assets.

Retailers are under more pressure than ever to prevent theft, ensure employee safety and maintain business continuity across stores. Criminal activities are on the rise, and they can severely disrupt operations, leading to financial losses and a tarnished reputation. Workplace security not only safeguards assets and sensitive information but also protects employees and visitors, fostering a safe and productive environment.

Hiring off-duty law enforcement is a proven way to level up your retail security strategy. Off-duty personnel are uniquely positioned to deter criminal activities, respond swiftly in emergencies and provide an added layer of protection. By integrating off-duty law enforcement into your security strategy, you can create a safer, more secure workplace environment.

Protos Security's workplace security blog explores ways that off-duty law enforcement can benefit retailers and increase workplace safety.

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Retail Theft Falls 14% in NYC
Murders, robberies, and subway crime continue to fall as well

Gov. Hochul, Mayor Mamdani, Police Commissioner Tisch Announce Crime in NYC Continued to Fall in 2025, New York Remains Safest Big City in Nation

NYPD Data Shows 2025 was the Safest Year for Gun Violence in New York City on Record With the Fewest Shooting Incidents And Shooting Victims

Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch today announced that New York City remains the safest big city in the country. New 2025 data released by the NYPD and detailed this morning during a press conference show that the city is safer above and below ground, with murders, retail theft, robberies, and subway crime continuing to decline. Shooting incidents and the number of individuals harmed by gunfire also reached record lows last year across the city.

“When I became Governor, I made keeping New Yorkers safe my top priority and tackled crime head-on in New York City and across the state. Since then, I have made unprecedented investments in police and public safety – more than $3 billion – to make New York’s neighborhoods and subways safer,” Governor Hochul said. “Our aggressive approach is paying off: crime has fallen to record lows, making New York a safer place to live, work and visit. I look forward to continuing this work with Mayor Mamdani, Police Commissioner Tisch and the brave men and women of law enforcement who sacrifice so much to ensure New York remains the safest big city in the country.”

Addressing Retail Theft

In addition to these historic declines the NYPD’s revamped strategy on retail theft led to a 14 percent (52,696 vs. 61,328) decline in retail theft citywide compared to 2024. Last year, the NYPD developed and executed a new strategy to respond to retail theft, a recidivist-driven crime, including identifying the patterns driving retail theft, concentrating resources at high-propensity locations during peak hours, and shifting from pass-through enforcement to sustained investigation.    governor.ny.gov


Unrest Could Be Coming to Your City - Are You Prepared?
In an unpredictable environment, being ready is not just a precaution, but a necessity.

Preparing for Potential Unrest: What Urban Retailers Should Know

By the D&D Daily staff

As political and social tensions rise following recent ICE raids in major U.S. cities, retailers—especially those operating in urban centers—are reassessing their preparedness strategies for potential unrest. With public demonstrations and spontaneous protests becoming more common, retail businesses are increasingly focused on minimizing risk and protecting employees, customers and assets.

Recent enforcement actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in cities like Los Angeles have sparked backlash, including protests that, while often peaceful, carry the potential to escalate. For retailers, this presents a challenging environment where operational disruptions, property damage or safety concerns can emerge quickly and unpredictably.

Retailers can take several proactive steps to mitigate risk during periods of heightened tension. First and foremost is communication. Store managers should stay informed through local news and law enforcement updates to anticipate potential protest activity in their area. Establishing a clear internal communication protocol ensures that staff can respond swiftly to changing conditions and know when to shelter in place, close early or modify operations.

Physical security is another key area of focus. Retailers in areas more prone to demonstrations may benefit from reviewing security camera coverage, ensuring alarms and locks are functioning properly and confirming that emergency exits are accessible. Some businesses are also coordinating with local law enforcement or private security firms to enhance on-site protection during high-alert periods.

Employee training is critical. Staff should be briefed on how to handle crowd activity near or around the store, how to de-escalate tense situations when possible and when to prioritize evacuation over confrontation. Retailers may also want to revisit insurance coverage to ensure policies are current and adequately cover civil unrest scenarios.

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   RELATED: Nationwide protests, reactions to shooting in Minneapolis


Retailers Facing Fines for Not Reporting Theft
No exception for small businesses in Douglas County ordinance to issue fines if shoplifting not reported

There are 900 stores in the unincorporated part of the county that would be under the ordinance that would fine a business for failing to report a theft.

Small businesses in Douglas County will be treated no differently than big box retailers that are the target of an ordinance to fine businesses that do not report shoplifting. There are 900 stores in the unincorporated part of the county that would be under the ordinance that would fine a business $1,000 for failing to report a theft within four days.

During a work session with retailers Tuesday, a Walgreens representative described challenges stores face when reporting incidents. The representative explained that employees often cannot identify what was stolen or which direction suspects take off.

Republican Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly responded directly to those concerns. "As long as we have reasonable suspicion that a crime took place, you let our dispatch center know. And you call me directly; I'll give you my mobile number if they tell you that they're not going to respond. That should never happen in Douglas County," Weekly said.

Republican District Attorney George Brauchler would have no role in enforcing the fines on businesses, but has been involved in the feedback sessions to give retailers the assurance that if they call the sheriff’s office for help, if someone gets caught, his office will put someone in jail.

Enforcing fines would fall on the county attorney, but pursuing convictions for actual shoplifters would be Brauchler’s role, even for petty theft. 9news.com


No Longer USA's Most Dangerous City?
Detroit goes from one of America’s most dangerous cities to historic low crime rates
Once known as one of, if not America’s most dangerous city, Detroit is now reporting historically low major crime numbers.

Compared to two and three decades ago, homicides, non-fatal shootings and car jackings are at historic lows and major crimes numbers are significantly lower than they were in just the last few years.

According to preliminary year-end data released today by Mayor Mary Sheffield and Detroit Police Chief Todd A. Bettison, murders fell in 2025 below 200 for the first time in decades to 165. That’s a 19% drop from the 203 recorded in 2024 and down 35% from 252 in 2023.

There were 447 non-fatal shootings last year, a 26% drop from the previous year and 62% lower than the 1,176 recorded in 2020. mlive.com


Oakland’s Violent Crime Dropped Significantly in 2025, Data Shows. What Happened?

Danbury crime dropped 25% in 2025 after spike previous year, state data shows