Oregon has officially joined the fight against organized retail crime (ORC), joining the ranks of the many state organizations across the country in efforts to help combat this growing problem.
In 2019, a group of dedicated corporate investigators, law enforcement, crime analysts, and prosecutors came together to create the Organized Retail Crime Association of Oregon (ORCAOR), a nonprofit corporation serving as a private/public partnership to battle these criminal enterprises. The private sector, often victimized by these crimes, has provided their expertise and support, while law enforcement has increased their efforts to apply their investigative skills, tools, and legal authority to hold these criminals accountable, while working hand-in-hand with prosecutors to ensure best practices in enforcement and the construction of viable criminal cases.
A secure website, complying with data privacy law, has been established so that members can share real-time crime information and intelligence on these groups, enhancing the identification of offenders and targeting the criminal enterprises involved. ORCAOR strives to increase operational efficiency and effectiveness by minimizing redundancy and maximizing investigative potential through regional information meetings held on a quarterly basis, on-going training seminars, public policy initiatives, and an annual conference.
The Organized Retail Crime Association of Oregon (ORCAOR) is excited to create an outlet for law enforcement and retail to bridge the gap in our investigative efforts, creating a platform where information can be shared on a real-time basis. The board consists of law enforcement, retail investigators and district attorneys.
Through a multi-jurisdictional and discipline approach, ORCAOR seeks to provide the platform to improve the investigation and prosecution of ORC and related organized crime cases, maximize the retention and recovery of assets, centralize intelligence, combine resources, increase trust between the public and private sector, and make our businesses and neighborhoods safer and more profitable places.
Although only recently established, ORCAOR is already showing great success. Several ORC-related subjects and groups have already been identified and subsequent arrests have followed due to the productive and effective relationships created through these joint efforts.
ORCAOR is a statewide crime-fighting partnership and is open to all members at no cost. This alliance allows retailers, financial sector, prosecutors and law enforcement to communicate about criminal activity impacting businesses on a real-time basis while preventing other partners from being victimized.
To learn more and to become a member, visit the ORCAOR website.
Click here to view Organized Retail Crime Associations: The Complete List