Organized retail theft in California is effectively addressed by the current legislation
California took a significant step in 2018 to combat organized retail crime (ORC) by enacting legislation that increased penalties and established a task force dedicated to apprehending ORC rings. This approach, outlined in California Assembly Bill 331 (AB 331), offers an effective model for other states to emulate in their efforts to protect consumers and retailers.
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AB 331 makes it a felony for individuals to work in concert to steal merchandise or purchase, sell, receive, or return goods known to be illegally procured. The law also renews the mandate of the California Highway Patrol Organized Retail Crime Task Force.
In the past three years, this task force has recovered over $16.3 million dollars in stolen merchandise and arrested 252 individuals. However, ORC is not limited to California. It often involves cross-state travel, requiring cooperation between states and federal law enforcement agencies.
To address ORC similarly to California's approach, other states can consider implementing several key strategies:
- Define and Classify ORC as a Serious Crime
- Legislative Action: Enact laws that specifically define and classify ORC as a more serious form of crime, similar to California's approach.
- Enhance Collaboration Between Law Enforcement and Retailers
- Information Sharing: Encourage law enforcement agencies and retailers to share information about ORC incidents.
- Task Forces: Establish state-level task forces to coordinate efforts between law enforcement, retailers, and prosecutors.
- Increase Funding for Law Enforcement Efforts
- Budget Allocation: Allocate additional funds to support law enforcement agencies in their efforts to combat ORC, including training and equipment for investigations.
- Implement Technology and Data-Driven Solutions
- Digital Tools: Utilize digital tools and data analytics to track and predict ORC activity.
- Educate Public and Retailers
- Awareness Campaigns: Launch public awareness campaigns to educate consumers and retailers about the risks and consequences of ORC.
- Training for Retailers: Provide training for retailers on how to identify and report ORC incidents effectively.
- Strengthen Prosecution Efforts
- Specialized Prosecutors: Appoint specialized prosecutors to handle ORC cases.
- Penalty Enhancements: Implement enhanced penalties for those convicted of ORC to deter future offenses.
By adopting these strategies, other states can effectively combat ORC, similar to California's approach with legislation like AB 331. It is estimated that ORC costs retailers $45 billion per year, and many retailers have been forced to close stores and reduce operations due to financial losses from ORC.
Moreover, consumers can be exposed to allergens, rotten food, and ineffective products due to the repackaging, relabeling, or alteration of stolen goods by ORC rings. Some of the profits made by ORC rings have been traced to terrorist organizations, human trafficking, and similar atrocities.
In conclusion, it is crucial for policymakers in other states to move quickly to protect consumers and retailers with similar legislation and initiatives. Congress should also enact legislation criminalizing ORC and better empower organized retail theft task forces within the FBI. By working together, we can create a safer and more secure environment for everyone.
- Policymakers in other states can follow California's lead by enacting laws that specifically define and classify organized retail crime (ORC) as a more serious form of crime, similar to California's approach outlined in AB 331.
- To combat ORC effectively, states should encourage law enforcement agencies and retailers to share information about ORC incidents, and establish state-level task forces to coordinate efforts between law enforcement, retailers, and prosecutors.
- In the fight against ORC, other states can allocate additional funds to support law enforcement agencies in their efforts, providing training and equipment for investigations.
- Utilizing digital tools and data analytics can help track and predict ORC activity, while launching public awareness campaigns and providing training for retailers can educate consumers and retailers about the risks and consequences of ORC.
