Through an initiative led by the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) and the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), district attorneys from across the US are meeting with local retailers to address organized retail crime, habitual theft, and its impact on employees and communities.
Since its debut in September, National Store Walk Month has paired retailers with district attorneys’ offices for 80 store walks to discuss shared challenges and solutions to tackling retail crime and violence. Local prosecutors and retail management teams exchanged insights, shared best practices, and identified opportunities to work collaboratively to combat crime. Demand to participate was so strong among DAs’ offices and retailers that the project has been extended through November. As of today, RILA member retailers have hosted 80 store walks as part of this initiative.
“Since 2002 The Home Depot has welcomed elected officials and local law enforcement for store walks to showcase the work of our associates,” said The Home Depot Vice President of Asset Protection Scott Glenn. “As issues like organized retail crime continue to grow, we are proud to partner with RILA and other retailers during National Store Walk Month to meet with prosecutors in our local communities and build relationships that will directly support our efforts to keep our stores, customers, associates, and communities safe.”
“This experience was more eye opening than I thought it would be,” said Frederick County State’s Attorney J. Charles Smith III, president of the National District Attorneys Association. “Retailers are doing an incredible job on the front end, and this was a great opportunity to see how those of us in the criminal justice community can collaborate with retailers on the back end.”
“Retailers are committed to doing everything they can to tackle retail crime and its impact on communities,” said RILA Senior Executive Vice President of Retail Operations Lisa LaBruno. “It’s a complex issue that requires a multifaceted, strategic response. Building relationships and collaborating with local prosecutors is just one, albeit very important component to that response. We’re thrilled that such a large group of prosecutors serving cities and towns large and small signed up to participate and share in our commitment to keeping communities safe.”