Holiday Retail Violence Prevention
Holiday Crowds Raise the Stakes for Retail Violence Prevention

By the D&D Daily Staff

The holiday shopping season brings more than increased traffic and sales. For retailers and shopping centers, larger crowds, extended hours and heightened customer frustrations can also create an environment where everyday conflicts escalate more quickly.

That makes violence prevention particularly important at malls and other high-traffic retail locations during November and December.

One of the most effective strategies is also among the simplest: visibility. Uniformed security officers, clearly identifiable store leaders and employees positioned near entrances and other high-traffic areas can provide both a deterrent and a faster response when problems develop.

But visibility alone isn't enough. Retailers need employees who recognize warning signs before an incident becomes violent. Aggressive language, threatening behavior, escalating disputes and customers who refuse repeated instructions can all signal that an employee should disengage and call for assistance rather than continue the confrontation.

The holidays also put additional pressure on communication between individual retailers, mall security and local law enforcement. A disruptive individual removed from one store can quickly appear somewhere else in the shopping center. Rapid information sharing can help security teams recognize developing patterns and respond before another confrontation occurs.

Physical environments matter, too. Crowded entrances, checkout lines, parking areas and food courts can become flashpoints. Keeping pathways clear, monitoring gathering points and ensuring employees know where to direct customers during emergencies should be part of holiday planning.

Temporary and seasonal employees present another consideration. These workers may have less experience dealing with theft, angry customers or emergency situations. Brief, practical training on de-escalation, when to disengage and how to summon help can be more valuable than overwhelming employees with complicated procedures.

Ultimately, holiday violence prevention isn't about turning shopping centers into fortresses. It's about recognizing that unusually busy environments require additional preparation.

For AP and security teams, the goal should be straightforward: identify trouble earlier, communicate faster and give frontline employees clear permission to prioritize their own safety over winning a confrontation.


Canada's War on ORC Continues
Retail theft increasingly 'sophisticated' & now work of organized crime, experts say

Numbers of charges involving retail theft on the rise in Peel Region, police say

Retail theft has evolved from individual shoplifting into a crime increasingly committed by organized criminal networks, according to Peel Regional Police.

Deputy Chief Marc Andrews said at a news conference Tuesday that the number of retail theft related charges being laid by police is on the rise in Peel Region.

In 2025, police laid 2,310 retail theft related charges, while in the first eight months of this year, police have already laid 2,241 charges, which means this year's total will likely surpass that of last year, he said.

Andrews said police have discovered that incidents that initially appeared unrelated were often committed by the same repeat offenders in the same criminal networks.

Rui Rodrigues, executive advisor of loss prevention and risk management at Retail Council of Canada, said in an interview Tuesday that the council created a national task force of retailers four years ago that meets monthly. It's open to all retailers and law enforcement and it's created a forum that enables the retailers to share information, best practices and trends, he said.

Rodrigues said the council has also organized what it calls project retail theft blitzes to raise awareness of retail crime.

"We can share our intelligence, get it to the police so we can look at those common elements and we can start to identify the 15 per cent that causes 80 per cent of the issues," Rodrigues said. cbc.ca


New Gift Guard Fraud Crackdown
Bills Cracking Down On Gift Card Fraud Signed Into Law
An area lawmaker’s plan cracking down on gift card fraud has been signed into law. Harris led the bi-partisan effort to create stronger penalties for a growing problem that he says has cost consumers and retailers millions of dollars.

Harris said “When someone spends their hard-earned money on a gift card for a family member or friend, they should be able to trust that the money will be there when it’s time to use it. This new law provides a real solution to a growing problem. It gives law enforcement and prosecutors stronger tools to crack down on organized criminals who are stealing from Michigan families.”

A release states “Gift card fraud has evolved far beyond simple theft. Criminal organizations often tamper with cards displayed in stores, copy card numbers and PINs, then wait for a customer to purchase and activate the card. Once funds are loaded onto the card, criminals quickly use the stolen information to make online purchases, obtain cash, or resell merchandise for profit”.

House Bills 4598-4599, now Public Acts 109 and 110 if 2026, add gift card fraud to Michigan’s existing laws dealing with organized retail crime, making it easier to prosecute individuals who steal gift cards or gift card information, tamper with gift cards with intent to defraud, or use stolen gift card information to obtain money, goods, or other things of value. Violations are punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Harris noted that many of the criminal organizations involved in gift card fraud are also connected to other serious criminal activity, making it especially important for law enforcement to have effective tools to investigate and prosecute these operations. He said “This is going to help disrupt organized criminal networks that are finding new ways to take advantage of hardworking people. Michigan families and businesses are better protected because this law is now on the books.”

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the bills into law on Monday. whmi.com


Mall Terror Plot
Minneapolis, MN: Mall of America terror plot stopped, ISIS sympathizer arrested: charges
The U.S. Attorney's Office filed criminal charges Wednesday against an 18-year-old man who was allegedly plotting an attack at the Mall of America. Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud is federally charged with one count of knowingly receiving a firearm and ammunition while knowing or having reason to believe they would be used in a felony or federal crime of terrorism.

Mohamud was arrested after he purchased an AK-47. The charges detail his continued communications over messaging apps and TikTok with an informant over the course of months. In those communications, authorities say Mohamud pledged his support to ISIS and his desire to attack the Mall of America.

In the charges, he allegedly said he wanted to attack the mall "because its owned by Jewish so if I kill even 30 people no one would go there anymore. I want to harm the jew just like brothers in Australia Bondi Beach harmed the Jews. I'll just go grab assault rifle, bomb too complicated, kill maybe 30-60 people insha Allah and have 260 ammo."

The charges also include messages where Mohamud discussed his desire to kill "kuffar" – a term that means "disbelievers" used for those who are not Muslim. One specific event Mohamud identified Oct. 24 as a target date, coinciding with a Hmong Arts Celebration. The charges also describe his desire to travel to Somalia to join a terror organization. Authorities say Mohamud was born in the United States, but his parents are from Somalia.   fox9.com


New Yorkers Still Feel Unsafe Despite Crime Drop
NYC crime falls, but some residents say they don’t feel safer
New York City recorded fewer shootings and murders through September, according to NYPD data, but some residents say the progress doesn’t match what they’re experiencing.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced at Tuesday’s crime briefing a 6.6% drop in major crime citywide compared with the first nine months of 2025. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced at Tuesday’s crime briefing a 6.6% drop in major crime citywide compared with the first nine months of 2025.

Brooklyn saw a decline of about 7%. The Bronx had the biggest drop, at 11.9%.

Asked whether the crime numbers matched what he was seeing, Dylan said, “I say, ‘Hell no, I don’t believe it. I don’t see it.’” Freddy shared a similar concern. “I feel it’s at the highest it’s ever been, honestly,” he said.

Compared with the same months last year, shootings fell 11.6%, the number of people shot dropped 14.4% and murders declined 19.8%.

The NYPD said all three were the lowest recorded totals for the first nine months of a year. Brooklyn also reached record lows for that period, with 159 shooting incidents, 201 people shot and 57 murders.

“We know where the challenges remain, and we will be adjusting our strategies,” Tisch said. bronx.news12.com


Theft is Hot Topic at PDs Across America
Law enforcement agencies, retail partners discuss crime and more
Local police have a simple message to individuals thinking about thefts: Don’t do it. The Cape Coral Police Department’s Property Crimes Unit recently hosted its quarterly Retail Partnership Meeting that brought together law enforcement agencies from across Southwest Florida and retail partners.

PCU Sgt. Jeremy Niland led the meeting, which officials said focused on intelligence sharing and strengthening collaboration.

“The meeting provided an opportunity for Cape Coral Police Department, our retail partners and neighboring law enforcement agencies to share information about current trends, discuss investigative leads, and identify ways to improve communication and collaboration,” said CCPD’s Public Affairs Office.

“The Cape Coral Police Department takes all thefts seriously,” CCPD’s Public Affairs Office stated. “While the value of the property can affect the criminal charge, theft impacts our local businesses and community, regardless of the dollar amount. Our Property Crimes Unit works closely with retailers to investigate these incidents, identify repeat offenders and develop investigative leads. Strong communication with our retail partners helps us address these crimes more effectively.”  capecoralbreeze.com


Republicans focus on tough-on-crime message before difficult midterm elections
Political advertising warns about Democratic plots to defund the police. Campaign events feature law enforcement unions and tough talk about law and order. Stump speeches boast about record low levels of violent crime.

Are Trump's claims about Chicago crime accurate?

Whiteside County sergeant who misused camera data resigns, sheriff says