The National Retail Federation has created a package detailing organized retail crime for members of their State Association Council to educate state legislators about the growing problem.
In the package, the National Retail Federation (NRF) provides language to define organized retail crime and outlines the many different pieces of what it entails. State retail associations can use this language to enhance or create legislation in their respective states. NRF will announce this legislation today at its Loss Prevention Conference and EXPO, being held in San Diego through June 13.
The legislation has also been presented to its member state retail associations. According to NRF’s Organized Retail Crime Survey, 79 percent of retailers have been a victim of organized retail crime in the past year. In addition to educating state legislators about the growing problem of organized retail crime, NRF is trying to narrow the bridge between state and federal organized retail crime cases, which oftentimes require local and state authorities to intervene before meeting the federal threshold. The language in the comprehensive package, outlined by NRF, distinguishes between amateur and professional shoplifters in order to expedite the process of prosecuting organized retail criminal gangs.
“States and local jurisdictions are a vital partner in the fight against organized retail crime,” says NRF Vice President of Loss Prevention Joseph LaRocca. “With this model legislation, we are now one step closer to helping law enforcement agencies and retailers nationwide prosecute organized retail crime activity.”
The model legislation includes definitions of fraudulent receipts, theft using the retailer’s emergency exit to avoid apprehension, theft with intent to resell, third felony act, pattern of criminal offenses, enhanced theft and the fencing (or sale) of stolen goods. Thieves continue to use street corners, flea markets and pawn shops to resell goods in addition to eFencing reducing their risk of getting caught and increasing their profit at the same time.
The National Retail Federation is the world's largest retail trade association, with membership that comprises all retail formats and channels of distribution including department, specialty, discount, catalog, Internet, independent stores, chain restaurants, drug stores and grocery stores as well as the industry's key trading partners of retail goods and services. NRF represents an industry with more than 1.6 million U.S. retail establishments, more than 24 million employees - about one in five American workers - and 2006 sales of $4.7 trillion. As the industry umbrella group, NRF also represents more than 100 state, national and international retail associations. www.nrf.com.