NJFC to Highlight Technology’s Role in Asset Protection at Mid-Atlantic Loss Prevention Conference

New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin will be awarded at the annual conference

TRENTON – October 8, 2025 – The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) will once again partner with the New Jersey Retail Merchants Association (NJRMA), the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) and the Delaware Food Industry Council (DFIC) to address the most pressing security issues in the food industry at the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Loss Prevention Conference and Expo in late October.

The conference at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe will spotlight Ubiquitous Technological Surveillance (UTS), which is the pervasive collection of data through everyday gadgets such as smartphones and tablets, and artificial intelligence’s impact on asset security. Also, it serves as an opportunity to honor members in law enforcement and loss prevention who made a significant impact in the last year.

“This event is the appropriate venue to recognize New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin for his steadfast and influential leadership for the passage of the new Organized Retail Crime Law,” said NJFC President & CEO Linda Doherty. “It is the ideal opportunity for leaders in the loss prevention community to discuss the challenges and opportunities arising from the constantly changing technology landscape.”

She noted the conference will feature security experts from such organizations as the FBI, the U.S. Secret Service and FIFA, which organizes worldwide soccer events.

“These discussions help us develop new strategies to safeguard our businesses and communities, leveraging new technologies” Doherty added. “Consistent collaboration ensures a safer future for the retail food industry in the mid-Atlantic region and stronger protections for retailers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.”

Click here to read the full press release.

Learn more about the conference and secure your spot here.
 

'It's a De-Escalator': Body Cams Can Curb Retail Crime
Retailers are using police-style bodycams to deal with crime, but this company wants its latest AI-powered tech to do more

One company is reimagining the tech in ways that could go beyond responding to crime.

Retail workers see a lot of bad behavior while on the job. From shoplifting to violence to general harassment, the hourly workers who keep stores running smoothly often deal with a higher share of incidents than the average person does.

Some retailers, including Walmart, have responded by testing out the use of police-style body cameras at certain locations as they look for ways to improve worker safety. Others, like Home Depot, continue to invest heavily in curbing shoplifting and other organized retail crime and gathering evidence to prosecute repeat offenders. Off-price retailer TJX has numerous job listings that require employees to "wear a complete company-approved uniform, including a body-worn camera."

Axon, a leading maker of police body cameras, introduced last year a version of its law enforcement product that it tweaked for retail and healthcare use. Now, Axon tells Business Insider it's launching a lighter and smaller version early next year for frontline workers.

"We know it keeps people safer, we know it limits shrinkage, but now it's about dialing in the right form factor," Axon president Josh Isner said. The Body Workforce Mini is roughly the size and weight of an AirPods Pro case and comes equipped with new communication, AI, and HD video features.

"When you're on video, just as we've seen in public safety, it's a de-escalator," Isner said. "These incidents start to just get less intense and less confrontational."

Although many retailers have policies against engaging with or otherwise attempting to stop shoplifters, bodycam videos can provide useful information in real time and after the fact.

Isner also said Axon's new camera can integrate with a store's existing security system through its video aggregation platform, providing multiple vantage points of an incident, including a first-person perspective. businessinsider.com


Shoplifting 'War' in the UK
UK must tackle daily shoplifting ‘war’ on its high streets, says Iceland boss

Thefts are costing frozen food retailer £20mn a year that could be invested in its shops, says Richard Walker

Britain’s shoplifting epidemic is a “low-level war going on every day”, the boss of Iceland has said, urging retailers and the government to take the criminal threat to the country’s high streets more seriously.

Richard Walker, executive chair of the frozen foods retailer, said thefts were costing the supermarket £20mn a year that could otherwise be invested in its shops.

“Shoplifting sounds like cheeky pilfering, but actually it should be called violent crime because we’re talking about thieves using knives, needles and hammers in threats to our staff,” Walker told the Financial Times’ Future of Retail conference.

Iceland is already trialling facial recognition technology in its stores to detect shoplifters and directly feed their profiles into police databases in a bid to prompt forces to act before a staff member is attacked.

Walker welcomed the UK’s recent moves to toughen laws against shoplifters, including legislation to remove a £200 summary offence threshold.

He said the existing law, where thieves who steal goods worth less than £200 are usually spared a prison term, had little meaning for the value-focused grocery chain and gave “carte blanche to shoplifters”. ft.com


Portland Police Union Supports Federal Crime Crackdown
Blue city officers open to feds’ help fighting crime crisis as leaders spew ‘anti-police rhetoric’: union pres

Portland Police Association president says agency is 'horrifically understaffed' during crime surge

The president of Portland's police union said he's open to federal support to help the agency combat a "burst" in crime. President Donald Trump has signaled he wants to send National Guard units into Portland, Ore., in order to protect the city as well as ICE facilities, which he said have come under attack by Antifa.

"At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. "I am also authorizing Full Force, if necessary."

Camilla Wamsley, director of Portland’s ICE office, previously told Fox News that the agency's facility has been confronted with violence for over 100 straight nights — saying that police in Portland have been directed not to help.

Schmautz said that the Portland Police Bureau is "horrifically understaffed," at a time when some local leaders, he said, aren't supporting police. "There is a lot, I mean, of just open, very, very anti-police rhetoric in our city council meetings," he said. foxnews.com


Trump's Big City Crackdown Faces Legal Pushback
Why is Trump trying to deploy the National Guard to US cities?
President Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard to several US cities has drawn a round of legal challenges by state and local officials.

Trump argues that his use of the troops is necessary to quell violence in Democratic-controlled cities, crack down on crime and support his deportation initiatives.

He has found himself on a collision course with several Democratic state governors, who have resisted these efforts, and who say the deployments are unnecessary and risk escalating tensions. Legal cases have recently been filed in Illinois and Oregon.

As the legal battles continue, here's what to know: bbc.com


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Using Tech to Boost Safety
Research Shows VR Can Foster Proactive Safety Culture

Participants used VR for emergency response simulation, hazard identification and decision-making under pressure.

In a recent article, "Exploring the effectiveness of virtual reality-based training for sustainable health and occupational safety in Industry 4.0", the authors focus on how VR-based training can enhance the sustainability of occupational safety for industrial workers, thereby reducing industrial accidents and human errors.

Each VR training session lasted 45 minutes, and a total of three sessions were conducted over one week. The intervention group participants underwent VR training on several OSH procedures central to their work. The training used a realistic, life-like approach to safety education, which helped participants enhance their safety awareness and attitudes toward risk in the workplace.

The control group received no VR training whatsoever; they did not require additional intervention beyond regular job activities and occupational safety measures.

The results showed that both groups substantially improved the training and educational outcomes associated with VR. The authors note that these results support existing studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of VR technology as a tool for learning and retention. Also, learning new information using VR-based training is more effective. ehstoday.com


Retailer Blames Tariffs for Closures
Tariffs force more Orvis store closures

The outdoor retailer began scaling down a year ago in order to focus on its core sports fishing and bird hunting customer.

Orvis early next year will shutter 31 stores and five outlet locations, the outdoor retailer confirmed by email Thursday. The brand currently operates more than 70 retail locations across the U.S. — including 64 stores and seven outlets — and will end up with a national footprint of 33 stores and two outlets.

The brand said it will focus on wholesale — including its existing partnerships with more than 550 U.S. independent retailers and “several” national outdoor retailers. The latter includes Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s and Sportsman’s Warehouse.

A year ago, Orvis began an effort to strengthen its business by scaling it down. The retailer at that point announced layoffs of 8% of its workforce, the closure of some of its 80-plus locations and the end of its famous catalog.

Tariffs are forcing more reductions, according to a statement from Orvis President Simon Perkins, whose grandfather acquired the company 60 years ago. retaildive.com