Partnership, cooperation, teamwork, planning—these terms are often used to describe some of the best ways to fight the battle against organized retail crime, a clash that has taken the country by storm in recent years. But to make the words meaningful, there has to be something more—words should lead to action, and action to results. Recently, retailers, law enforcement, and prosecutors decided to take the terms to task as part of a nationwide initiative that highlighted both the extent of the ORC problem and the value that comes from working together to drive winning outcomes.
Organized retail crime (ORC) involves the theft and resale of retail products for financial gain rather than personal use. While often downplayed as simple shoplifting, this is not someone stealing a bottle of nail polish or a candy bar. As the name implies, theft is a business, often structured and methodical; frequently brazen and occasionally physical or violent; and ultimately leading to billions of dollars in losses to retailers every year. Viewed by most of those involved as low risk and high reward, the proceeds of ORC are often used to fund other and often more serious crimes including drug trafficking, violent crimes, and even terrorism.
This is not a victimless crime. Retailers across the US are seeing sharp increases in violent theft, habitual offenders, and illegal fencing operations. This is a legitimate concern that touches communities large and small across the country and one that demands our attention.
“Retail crime has become increasingly violent and sophisticated, and if left unchecked, will continue to wreak devastating economic consequences in our communities,” emphasized Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke. “The recent nationwide ORC Blitz sends a strong message: we take these crimes seriously and are putting up a united front. Organized retail crime is a public safety issue, it’s a quality of life issue, and it’s an economic issue.”
Leading the Way
Spearheaded by the Cook County Regional Organized Crime Task Force (CCROC) and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in the Chicago market, a nationwide crackdown on organized retail crime, or “National ORC Blitz,” was implemented on May 30th and continued through the first week of June to promote collaboration between private retailers, law enforcement, and prosecutors working to improve public safety and disrupt organized crime networks. A coordinated effort that took weeks to plan, the operation was also supported by the Retail Industry Leader’s Association (RILA), the National District Attorneys’ Association (NDAA), and Organized Retail Crime Associations (ORCAs) across the country through the ORCAs in Action initiative.
While coordinated local “blitz” operations are a common occurrence in markets across the country when combatting organized retail crime, this National ORC Blitz is considered the first of its kind. The operation was met with overwhelming support and enthusiasm, and the team at CCROC did an outstanding job of putting the event together. As part of the ORC Blitz, more than 100 law enforcement agencies and approximately 60 retailers across 28 states took part in the national blitz operations.
Agencies are continuing to report their results and many of the initial arrests have led to additional intelligence that will further support ongoing investigations and case development. However, preliminary highlights from the campaign include more than 500 felony and misdemeanor arrests related to retail crime, the recovery of more than $130,000 in stolen goods, and numerous stolen vehicles, narcotics, and weapons that were also seized during the arrests.
“This has been a tremendous opportunity to proactively enforce the law, build intelligence together, and bring visibility to this problem,” claimed MJB Deputy Bureau Chief and Assistant State’s Attorney David Williams, who also leads CCROC. “Based on information gathered during the ORC Blitz, we will be following promising leads that will help investigators stop highly organized crews from striking again. Each jurisdiction, agency, and company designed and executed their blitz based on their specific local circumstances in order to be successful.”
“When you give specific focus to a crime, it reverberates,” stated Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart. “When they see it is being prosecuted and taken seriously, it deters conduct. They don’t want to get caught.”
The Power of Teamwork
Perhaps most importantly, campaigns such as the National ORC Blitz highlight the power of partnerships, cooperation, teamwork, and planning in the fight against organized retail crime. By taking a proactive approach, it highlights the gravity and extent of the problem. It shows the community that we are willing and able to address the issue. It offers opportunities to gather additional intelligence and build cases. It sends a clear message to ORC crews that we are watching and there are consequences. And it allows us to continue to build upon the relationships that lead to meaningful results.
“Initiatives like the national ORC blitz send a strong message to criminals that retailers are working cohesively with law enforcement and that these crimes will be investigated and prosecuted,” added Lisa LaBruno, senior executive vice president at RILA. “We are confident that this continued collaboration will advance our shared goal of keeping retail employees, stores, and communities safe.”
“Collaboration is key to making a meaningful impact,” concluded Dan Petrousek, senior vice president of loss prevention at Ulta Beauty. “That’s why we were proud to participate in the National ORC Blitz alongside our dedicated law enforcement and prosecutorial partners.”
Yet while coalitions like the National ORC Blitz provide both meaningful results and strong messages, there is still much left to be done. Both state and national legislation must still be addressed to create statutes that deal with a variety of issues including laws focused directly on organized retail crime, penalties, felony thresholds, and other issues that impact how these crimes are managed and approached. State task forces and additional resources are still needed across the nation to support law enforcement and prosecutorial efforts in markets where focused efforts are necessary. Awareness and education about the true nature of the problem and steps that can be taken to curb the problem should be a priority.
Most importantly, efforts to enhance our partnerships, working together to find new and creative ways to build relationships, communicate shared messages, and deliver successful outcomes should continue to be our ultimate goal.