The upcoming release of full-year 2025 retail crime data will be pivotal. It will determine whether mid-year patterns held steady, intensified, or reversed during the latter half of the year amid ongoing economic pressure, staffing challenges, and evolving criminal tactics.

Until then, retailers should resist oversimplified narratives. Preparing for 2026 will require balancing prevention strategies aimed at reducing volume with investments focused on mitigating high-impact events. In a landscape where fewer incidents can still carry greater consequences, risk management must remain adaptive, intelligence-driven, and centered on safety as much as shrink.

Stay tuned in the coming weeks as the D&D Daily releases its exclusive 2025 retail crime reports.


What's Driving the Drop in Crime?
Opinion: Crime is down, and it should end ‘root cause’ excuse-making for good
With 2025 behind us, violent crime — especially murder — is likely down nationally once again. Although it will be months before we have official statistics, early indicators suggest a continuation of the trend that began in mid-2022 and has resulted in tens of thousands of fewer crime victims.

Americans are taking notice. For the second year in a row, respondents are reporting crime as a less serious problem. Less than half of Americans think crime is now rising.

All of this should be welcome news. And like most policy successes, where you sit politically likely informs what you believe about why it happened. Also like most policy achievements, there is disagreement at this point exactly what has contributed to the decline.

Yes, the Biden administration did spend hundreds of millions of dollars on “community violence intervention” programs. Police departments spent much more than that recruiting new officers. States passed laws strengthening sentences for violent offenders. Voters in big cities also began to reject progressive prosecutors, and police departments all over began to implement best practices focused on violent groups and repeat offenders.

What no one is claiming, however, is that the recent decline in murder and violence is the result of dramatic improvements in poverty, education, inequality, racial prejudice or any other so-called “root cause” of crime.

By focusing on underlying social conditions rather than individual decision-making and free will, progressives try to divert focus away from individual accountability toward society more broadly. But as crime has dropped in recent years, the social conditions said to produce crime have been unchanged or gotten worse. thehill.com


Lawmakers Target Anti-Crime Tech
Oregon legislation poised to tackle ‘fishing expedition’ searches of license plate data
A powerful Oregon legislative committee chair is calling for increased “safeguards and protections” on the use of data collected by a controversial crime-fighting technology scanning license plates that critics fear the Trump administration will weaponize.

Sen. Floyd Prozanski, a Eugene Democrat who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, helped convene a group of law enforcement stakeholders, privacy advocates and legislative leaders, which met in December to tackle the issue as cities across the state have debated whether to turn off their cameras employing the technology.

But views among workgroup stakeholders were diverse, including law enforcement who have defended license plate readers as a valuable tool for intercepting crime to progressive activists who say such technology itself is far too vulnerable for abuse by the federal government. Critics of some license plate reading technology have pointed to instances where the software’s data has been accessed by federal immigration enforcement agencies or used to target out-of-state abortion seekers. oregoncitynewsonline.com
 

Anti-Crime Proposition Not Being Funded?
California prosecutors, sheriffs criticize Newsom budget funding for Prop. 36
California’s top law enforcement organizations are pushing back against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget, arguing it falls short of providing enough funding to fully implement Proposition 36, a voter-approved measure aimed at strengthening penalties for certain crimes while expanding court-ordered drug treatment.

In a strongly worded joint statement, the California District Attorneys Association, the California State Sheriffs’ Association and probation officers from across the state said the governor’s plan allocates $110 million for the initiative — an amount they say is insufficient to meet its treatment requirements.

Proposition 36 was overwhelmingly approved by voters in November. The measure increased penalties for some repeat theft and drug offenses and created a treatment-mandated framework for certain drug possession cases, requiring counties to offer substance abuse treatment as an alternative to incarceration. actionnewsnow.com

 
Elgin violent crime down 8%, gunfire cases down 63%, new numbers show

Temple crime down in 2025, arrests increased, police data shows
 

LP Careers Underrated?
Why Loss Prevention Is One of Retail’s Most Underrated Career Paths

By the D&D Daily staff

When people think about career opportunities in retail, loss prevention is often misunderstood as reactive or narrowly focused on theft. In reality, modern retail loss prevention has evolved into one of the most dynamic, cross-functional and future-ready career paths in the industry.

Today’s LP professionals sit at the intersection of operations, data, technology and human behavior. They are asked not only to reduce shrink, but to identify patterns, anticipate risk and influence business decisions across entire organizations. That makes loss prevention less about enforcement — and more about intelligence.

LP teams now work with real-time data, predictive analytics, AI-driven monitoring platforms and enterprise reporting tools that rival those used in finance and cybersecurity. Professionals entering the field gain experience interpreting trends, assessing vulnerabilities and translating complex risk signals into actionable insights for leadership. Those skills are highly transferable and increasingly valuable as retailers navigate organized retail crime, supply chain disruption and regulatory scrutiny.

Another often overlooked advantage of an LP career is exposure. Loss prevention leaders regularly collaborate with store operations, HR, legal, IT, finance and executive leadership. Few roles in retail offer such a holistic view of how large organizations actually function. For early-career professionals, that visibility accelerates learning and opens pathways into broader leadership roles — both inside and outside LP.

There’s also a mission-driven aspect that resonates with many professionals entering the field today. Effective loss prevention protects frontline employees, improves store safety and helps preserve jobs by safeguarding company resources. It’s a role that balances accountability with empathy, requiring strong communication skills and ethical judgment alongside technical expertise.

As retail continues to modernize, the demand is growing for LP professionals who can think strategically, adapt quickly and operate comfortably in data-rich environments. That evolution is reshaping loss prevention into a long-term career destination rather than a stepping stone.

For those looking to build a career that blends technology, problem-solving and real-world impact, loss prevention may be one of retail’s most compelling — and underestimated — options.

 
EHS Trends to Watch in 2026
Talent shortages, AI & mental health key EHS priorities this year

82% of respondents to an Intelex survey said that EHS will become more strategic and influential in their business.

Talent shortages, leveraging AI, and prioritizing mental health are issues that EHS leaders will be focusing on in 2026, according to a recent report, Voice of EHS Report: 2026 Trends and Priorities, from Intelex.

Talent --The survey, which includes insights from 865 EHS professionals across North America and Europe, found that the profession will have some large challenges this year. One of the most difficult is the talent shortage, as reported by 75% of those surveyed. Part of the problem is the need for new skills necessary to keep up with emerging technology, which 85% of the respondents mentioned.

Technology -- As far as what types of technologies are being used, 41% report using IoT-based sensors and remote monitoring. These seem to be in a pilot stage, however. Around 40% are using wearables and smart personal protection equipment. And 40% use predictive risk assessment and hazard detection technologies.

Mental Health -- Concerning mental health, most companies are focused on training managers to support employee mental health. The programs include mental health first aid training, help with conversational skills and specialist risk management frameworks. The other approach is to remove the stigma around mental health by encouraging employees to voice concerns without fear of retaliation. Around 33% of North American businesses are taking this approach. ehstoday.com


New ISCPO Board Members
ISCPO Appoints New Members to its Board of Directors

The International Supply Chain Protection Organization (ISCPO) welcomes Melissa Hoffmeister and Clyde D. Loll to its Board.

Dallas, TX– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – The International Supply Chain Protection Organization (ISCPO.org) announced today the new addition to its Board of Directors: Melissa Hoffmeister – Asset Protection Director at Target and Clyde D. Loll – Director of Operations at SHSU Homeland Security Department.

“We are thrilled to welcome Melissa Hoffmeister and Clyde D. Loll to the ISCPO Board of Directors” said Byron Smith, ISCPO President & Chairman. Their appointment comes at a critical time as global supply chains face increasingly complex security and resiliency challenges. Clyde’s 40-year legacy in safety, crisis management, and critical infrastructure, combined with Melissa’s deep expertise in security governance and operational risk, will be invaluable to our members. Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge that will help the ISCPO continue to lead the industry in best practices and protective innovation.”  iscpo.org


Why did people walk out yesterday? What to know on the nationwide event
A nationwide walkout took place on Jan. 20, one year since President Donald Trump was inaugurated for his current term. Tens of thousands of people participated, according to Axios, including walkouts from work or school for those taking part.

Macy’s to lay off nearly 1,000 at Connecticut fulfillment center