A coalition of 38 state attorneys general, including Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, recently sent a letter to Congress, urging it to help the fight against organized retail crime.
Nationwide, organized retail crime has contributed to financial losses of more than $121 billion. A total of 76 percent of retail asset protection managers’ also report that their employees have been victims of violence perpetrated by an organized retail criminal.
“Retail theft is not a victimless crime, as we have seen violence against employees and bystanders in numerous incidents nationwide,” Sunday said. “These large-scale thefts also drive up the price of goods for consumers and lead retailers to close stores. Many of these rings operate across local and state borders, so expanding the network of law enforcers and strengthening the supply of federal resources makes sense in combatting this trending criminal conduct. These criminals are raking in large profits while putting consumers and communities at risk.”
The attorneys general urged Congress to consider legislation that would provide local and state law enforcement with more resources to fight organized retail crime and that would increase penalties for convicted supply chain thieves.
Last year, the Office of Pennsylvania Attorney General launched its Organized Retail Crime Unit.