Join LPM as we celebrate the accomplishments of two members of the Rite Aid team and the exceptional impact they are making on opposite coasts in their companies and their communities.
The Difference a Day Makes
In today’s retail environment, external theft and organized retail crime in large cities has become an unprecedented challenge, with New York City and the boroughs of New York enduring their share. Despite many obstacles, Doug Horsting, lead asset protection investigator with Rite Aid, embraced this daunting task and not only found a way to be successful but exceeded expectations.
His efforts began in the stores, where Horsting stressed the importance of training store employees on policies and practices, the need to work safely when facing external theft, and the need to document the activity to help reveal patterns and identify recidivists. He then took things a step further, becoming a law enforcement liaison and championing efforts to work with individual precincts, holding meetings to educate law enforcement partners, and scheduling covert operations with the officers to apprehend suspects. He followed up with the district attorney’s office to ensure a better understanding of the extent of the losses and the risk to the public. He attended community meetings with law enforcement, speaking directly to the public regarding efforts to mitigate these risks and provide a safe shopping experience. He then repeated these efforts in precincts throughout the city.
Horsting’s efforts and the partnerships he built have not gone unnoticed, as the Westchester County, New York, Board of Legislators recently recognized him and Rite Aid for strategic partnerships with law enforcement, the District Attorney’s Office, elected officials, and community business leaders. As a result, Horsting and Rite Aid were presented with a proclamation, and the county of Westchester declared October 22, 2022 as “Doug Horsting Day,” underscored by the following statement:
“Because of this partnership, the stores are a safer place to shop, shoplifters are being charged appropriately, and store associates feel empowered and safe.”
Much More than Circumstance
On the other side of the country in the great Northwest, Rite Aid recently celebrated a victory of another kind due to the swift and decisive actions of Asset Protection Shrink Investigator Randy Grant. Every day, asset protection leaders from across the globe are making differences in the lives of employees and customers alike, and making a positive impact on the communities they serve. While every effort is consequential, none are more important than when those efforts save a life.
As Grant arrived at work recently at a store in Spokane, Washington, he was alerted by someone in the parking lot that there was a suspected overdose. The man, a transient, informed him that a friend had overdosed and collapsed in a “camp” behind the store. Grant immediately jumped into action, approaching the individual while calling 911. Once he confirmed the person was unconscious and clearly in distress, he started CPR compressions under the direction of the 911 operator. With the individual showing no signs of improvement, Grant then instructed a bystander at the scene to continue CPR while he ran inside the Rite Aid location to grab Narcan.
Staff pharmacist Keith Koscielski helped supply Naloxone, so Grant could then return to the unconscious individual and administer the Narcan with the 911 operator’s guidance. Naloxone, sold under the brand name Narcan among others, is an FDA-approved medication used to counteract or reduce the effects of opioids. Used to counter decreased breathing in opioid overdoses, the nasal spray is applied into the nostrils and is easy for those without formal training to use.
After administering the Narcan, the individual soon regained consciousness, and Grant continued to stay with him until emergency medical personnel arrived. EMT services confirmed that thanks to Grant’s quick actions, he saved the man’s life.
We spoke to a humble Randy Grant, who simply said he was “thankful for being at the right place at the right time.”
However, we realize there is much more to the story. He had established a relationship within the community, and had gained the trust of the individual that approached him that day to report the incident. He remained calm and decisive throughout the incident. He was educated on the use of Narcan as an opioid treatment and acted accordingly with the support of the pharmacist and emergency responders. These are reasons—not the product of circumstance—and we applaud his efforts.
Please join us in celebrating these leaders and the example they provide for all of us.