Retail's Most Wanted

On the latest episode of Retail’s Most Wanted, Ismael Moreno and Marc Tirheimer, key members of the California Robbery Investigators Association (CRIA) share insights on the evolution of fighting organized retail crime and the critical role of collaboration between public and private agencies.

Adapting to changing crime trends

Crime trends have shifted dramatically since the 1970s when bank and armored car robberies were rampant, particularly in Los Angeles, which was dubbed the "robbery capital of the world." As these types of crimes have diminished, new challenges have emerged, such as follow-home robberies and smash-and-grab incidents. Adaptability and education are key to maintaining the relevance and effectiveness of investigators in a rapidly changing landscape.

The Power of networking and collaboration

Networking between law enforcement officers and private sector professionals is crucial for sharing information, coordinating efforts, and ultimately solving crimes. The private sector often has information that law enforcement lacks, and vice versa. By working together, both sides can bridge gaps and ensure that criminals do not exploit jurisdictional boundaries.

Focus on education and training

CRIA is also deeply committed to education and training. Their conferences are certified by California’s Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) program, allowing law enforcement officers to earn credits toward their certification. Similarly, private sector professionals can earn credits for various certifications, ensuring that all members are well-equipped to handle the challenges they face.

As crime trends continue to evolve, the need for strong collaboration between law enforcement and the private sector has never been greater. Organizations like CRIA play a vital role in fostering these connections, ensuring that the "good guys" are always one step ahead.

Retail's Most Wanted is presented by LVT and the Attorney General Alliance. 

In this episode, Cory Lowe, director of research at the Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC), delves into the complexities of organized retail crime (ORC) and provides valuable insights into the mindset and tactics of criminal groups. Understanding the diverse motivations and methods of ORC is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.

Offender profile variability

The definition of ORC can vary widely, which makes it complicated to tackle. For instance, offenders may range from individuals driven by addiction, who are often less responsive to traditional deterrents, to highly organized groups seeking to maximize profits. This variability in offender profiles necessitates a nuanced approach to prevention and detection.

The Five Zones of Influence

The "Five Zones of Influence," is a framework that retailers can use to better understand and protect their stores. These zones encompass everything from the precise location of valuable items within the store to the broader community and cyber domain. By thinking strategically across these zones, retailers can create a layered security approach that not only deters crime but also facilitates effective investigation when incidents occur.

A comprehensive approach

A one-size-fits-all solution is insufficient in the fight against ORC. An effective approach must be integrated and comprehensive. This involves everything from maintaining a well-ordered and monitored environment (impression of control) to deploying overt deterrents such as signage and security measures in parking lots. The goal is to send a clear message to potential offenders that the store is a hard target.

Retail's Most Wanted is presented by LVT and the Attorney General Alliance. 

One big thing

In this episode, Dan Merkle, chairman and CEO of FaceFirst, discusses the evolution of facial recognition technology and its application in the retail industry, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between the technology and its use cases.

Why it matters

While facial recognition is widely used for everyday conveniences, such as unlocking smartphones, FaceFirst specializes in high-accuracy, uncooperative image capture in crowded environments. This capability is particularly valuable in combating organized retail crime, where individuals commit repeated thefts across multiple stores. By identifying these individuals, FaceFirst helps retailers mitigate losses and protect their businesses.

Go deeper

Addressing concerns about privacy and misinformation, Merkle acknowledged the fear surrounding the misuse of facial recognition technology. However, he highlighted the importance of transparency, compliance, and accountability in its deployment. FaceFirst ensures that data on non-offenders is anonymized and purged, while also providing guidelines for responsible use. Creating a safer environment for customers, employees, and communities is a mission we can all support.

Retail's Most Wanted is presented by LVT and the Attorney General Alliance. 

As a leading retail crime intelligence platform, Auror is revolutionizing how retailers combat organized retail crime (ORC). Auror helps retailers report, solve, and prevent crime, reducing violence and loss in communities. Auror Vice President of Retail Partnerships, Bobby Haskins, envisions a future where the industry collaborates more efficiently, leveraging cutting-edge technology to stay ahead of ORC, ultimately ensuring safer and more profitable retail environments.

Data-driven offender tracking

Auror leverages data from various retailers to identify and track the most prolific offenders, responsible for the majority of retail crime and violence. Traditional methods have retailers manually tracking incidents. Auror automates this process, allowing retailers to focus on the most critical 10% of offenders, implementing strategies to deter and apprehend them effectively.

Law enforcement collaboration

By integrating license plate recognition (LPR) technology, Auror enables retailers to monitor vehicles associated with repeat offenders, enhancing situational awareness and preemptive actions. Auror recently launched a platform specifically for law enforcement, allowing for direct collaboration with retailers.

Future outlook

In the next five years, Auror aims to unify retailers and law enforcement on a single platform, enhancing collaboration and data sharing. This integrated approach is expected to save time, focus on habitual offenders, and drive significant reductions in retail crime. Additionally, advancements in video analytics will further streamline the identification and tracking of suspicious behaviors.

Retail's Most Wanted is presented by LVT and the Attorney General Alliance. 

In this episode, we had the privilege of hosting two industry titans, Mike Lamb and Tom Arigi, who collectively boast over 84 years of experience in the retail sector. They offered invaluable insights into organized retail crime (ORC) and leadership.

Organized retail crime: Then and now

ORC has always existed, but was historically mistaken for individual shoplifting incidents. Modern collaboration in the retail industry has allowed for vital information sharing to successfully combat sophisticated crime rings. Post-pandemic, the violence and risk associated with ORC have escalated, posing significant threats to both financial stability and personal safety in retail environments, and necessitating a robust response from retailers.

Technological solutions and future outlook

Integrating disparate technological solutions to create a cohesive ecosystem leverages machine learning, AI, and other advanced technologies to enhance safety and reduce theft. The retail landscape will continue to transform, driven by customer preferences and technological advancements. The key to success will be adapting to these changes and leveraging technology effectively to protect both profits and people.

Leadership insights

Mike Lamb stressed a people-first approach to leadership, combined with a focus on results. Building a great team and ensuring they are aligned with the organization's vision is crucial for achieving desired outcomes.

Tom Arigi shared his guiding principles: Seek to understand before being understood, and value attitude and energy over knowledge alone. He emphasized the importance of fitting into an organization's culture and practicing the golden rule of treating others as one would like to be treated.

Retail's Most Wanted is presented by LVT and the Attorney General Alliance. 

Phil Brock, mayor of Santa Monica, discusses the state of retail crime in the city, where stores report frequent daily incidents of theft by individuals, often from the unhoused population, creating an unsustainable business environment.

Increasing theft Brock attributes the rise in theft to a lack of prosecution and enforcement by the county's judicial system. He highlights the $950 threshold for felony charges as problematic and notes that retailers are increasingly hiring private security, who are often hesitant to intervene.

Impact on business The ongoing thefts affect store operations and insurance rates. Some businesses have already closed or moved due to these challenges, impacting the local economy and discouraging customers from visiting affected areas.

Measures taken Santa Monica has increased police presence and response times and is working with store owners on preventative measures. However, many store owners are reluctant to involve police due to fear of increased insurance rates and potential retribution from thieves. Brock is also working with the state legislature to pass new shoplifting laws. He advocates for stricter consequences for theft and hopes for a shift in policy to balance enforcement and rehabilitation efforts.

Future outlook Brock anticipates a shift back to stricter enforcement of shoplifting laws, aiming for a balanced approach that deters crime without mass incarce

Retail's Most Wanted is presented by LVT and the Attorney General Alliance. 

NRF Protect brings together retail security leaders from across the country. Held in Long Beach this year, the conference boasts over 2,200 attendees, surpassing last year's turnout.

The Core Mission: Prevent, Protect, Prevail

NRF Protect focused on three key themes: Prevent, Protect, and Prevail**.** These themes encapsulate the conference's mission to address today's threats while anticipating future challenges. David Johnston, VP of asset protection and retail operations at the National Retail Federation, highlighted that organized retail crime is multifaceted, impacting various functions from cybersecurity to loss prevention. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the conference fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing to strengthen defenses against these crimes.

Collaboration is Key

One of the most significant advantages of NRF Protect is the opportunity for attendees to network and collaborate. Johnston pointed out that while criminals are highly organized, events like this enable the "good guys" to coordinate efforts and share successful strategies. This collective approach is crucial for tackling sophisticated crime syndicates.

Highlights and Insights

Johnston shared his excitement about the conference's diverse sessions, which cover both strategic and tactical topics. Presentations range from security operation centers to combating cybercrime and digital fraud. Notably, one session features a former perpetrator of organized retail crime, providing a unique perspective on prevention and detection.

Looking Ahead

Johnston's parting words encapsulate the spirit of NRF Protect: success means improving collaboration, keeping people safe, and staying ahead of evolving threats. By fostering a broader understanding of the challenges and solutions, NRF Protect aims to enhance industry-wide resilience.

Retail's Most Wanted is presented by LVT and the Attorney General Alliance. 

David Iorillo, a founder of the San Diego Organized Retail Crime Alliance, shares insights on how the alliance’s long-standing public/private collaboration has been pivotal in combating organized retail crime (ORC) in San Diego and beyond.

Retail's Most Wanted is presented by LVT and the Attorney General Alliance. 

The fight against ORC is a shared responsibility. Consumers, businesses, lawmakers, and law enforcement must work together to mitigate the impact of this criminal activity.

Dave Davis, president of the Utah Retail Merchants Association, discusses how ORC drives up consumer costs, and the innovative ways Utah is combating this problem. We also talk about the use of technology in preventing theft and the importance of raising public awareness about ORC's real costs.

Retail's Most Wanted is presented by LVT and the Attorney General Alliance. 

Tackling Organized Retail Crime in Utah: Insights from James Russell of the CASE Strike Force

Supervising Special Agent James Russell of Utah’s CASE Strike Force discusses the significant progress of the four-year-old coalition of major retailers and law enforcement established to address the rising tide of organized retail crime (ORC) in the state.

The scope of CASE Strike Force

The CASE Strike Force primarily focuses on organized retail crime—where individuals steal for profit—and their associated networks. Additionally, the team tackles intellectual property crimes, such as the sale of counterfeit products, and specific issues like catalytic converter theft. Essentially, the Strike Force targets any crime where a business is a victim.

The scale of the problem in Utah

While Utah may not face the same level of organized retail crime as states like California, the problem is still significant. Agent Russell shared that Utah retailers deal with thefts daily, sometimes facing multiple incidents in a single day. In 2021 alone, Utah lost roughly half a billion dollars due to retail theft.

Challenges in investigations and prosecutions

Investigating and prosecuting ORC is challenging due to the organized nature of these crimes. Often, perpetrators caught in the act have only a fraction of the stolen goods they're responsible for. The CASE Strike Force works to compile evidence from multiple thefts to build a comprehensive case against these criminals. This process is akin to narcotics investigations, starting with smaller arrests and working up the chain to larger organizations.

Impact of the CASE Strike Force

While exact numbers are hard to come by, anecdotal evidence suggests that the Strike Force’s efforts are helping. Retailers have reported meeting or exceeding their shrinkage goals, indicating a positive impact. Despite the frustrations of seeing repeat offenders, the coordinated efforts are yielding results, including successful restitution and a general reduction in theft incidents.

Retail's Most Wanted is presented by LVT and the Attorney General Alliance.