Lawmakers Press DHS for Answers on Organized Retail Theft Measures

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are urging the DHS to provide updates on their efforts to combat organized retail theft.

At a Glance

Over 80 lawmakers are pushing the DHS for action against organized retail crime (ORC).
ORC poses threats of violence, health risks, and significant economic impacts.
Lawmakers are highlighting the nearly $70 billion in losses caused by ORC in 2019.
The coordination center aims to improve law enforcement and business collaboration.
Bipartisan support is evident, with contributions from numerous lawmakers.

Bipartisan Urging for DHS Updates on ORC

Dozens of lawmakers from across the aisle have sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), urging them to provide updates on actions taken to combat organized retail crime (ORC). This collective push stresses the emphasis officials are placing on addressing the rising incidents of ORC, which pose significant risks to both public safety and the economy.

Lawmakers pointed out in their letter the grave dangers associated with ORC, including the violence oftentimes displayed during these thefts, which can put retail workers and customers at risk. Additionally, there are health concerns surrounding stolen goods such as baby formula and pharmaceuticals, which may be tampered with or stored incorrectly.

Highlighting the economic devastation caused by ORC, the lawmakers referenced a Retail Industry Leaders Association report indicating that ORC resulted in nearly $70 billion in financial losses in 2019 alone, demonstrating the widespread impact on businesses, communities, and consumers.

Dozens of bipartisan lawmakers press DHS for action on organized retail theft https://t.co/Fi0ieL8Che

— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) September 12, 2024

Lawmakers Call for ORC Coordination Center

The letter stressed the need for an update on the progress of establishing an organized retail crime coordination center. The center is intended to enhance collaboration between law enforcement and businesses through improved information sharing, resource allocation, and strategic planning. This initiative aims to foster more effective prevention and enforcement actions against ORC. According to the lawmakers, “This Center could facilitate better information sharing, resource allocation, and strategic planning, ultimately leading to more effective prevention and enforcement actions.”

The bipartisan effort includes prominent figures such as Rep. David Joyce, R-Ohio, who is leading the initiative. Joyce has previously advanced legislation to secure funding for the coordination center. Contributions to this effort are also seen from former Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., and Rep. Susie Lee, D-Nev.

Support from California State Lawmakers

One state that has been pushing retail theft solutions is California. Back in May, California’s Speaker Robert Rivas announced a plan to quickly deliver bipartisan retail theft and public safety legislation to Governor Gavin Newsom by June. Assembly lawmakers have approved several bipartisan legislative bills aimed at reducing retail theft and holding perpetrators accountable. The package includes measures such as creating a new felony for retail theft and authorizing Retail Crime Restraining Orders.

The package also emphasizes the importance of addressing the underlying causes of theft while providing law enforcement with new tools. Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, chair of the Assembly Public Safety Committee, and Chair of the Select Committee on Retail Theft Rick Chavez Zbur, collaborated with various stakeholders, including retailers, small businesses, law enforcement, and community advocates.

On Thursday, September 12, Newsom signed the final bill in Rivas’s package, AB 1960, which aims to increase penalties for greater felony theft crimes. In a statement, he touted California as a state with some of the “strictest retail and property crime laws” in the U.S. and said recent bills made the laws stronger.