Tackling ORC Requires Federal Coordination
RILA welcomes House introduction of the Combatting ORC Act
- By [ Michael Hanson ]
- Washington, DC
- 02/09/2023
The bipartisan, bicameral Combating Organized Retail Crime Act establishes a Center to Combat Organized Retail Crime at Homeland Security Investigations. The Center will combine expertise from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies as well as retail industry representatives. Coordinating these resources creates a unified government and industry collaboration to fight against the sophisticated criminal rings engaged in retail theft operations.
“Organized retail crime is endangering communities across the country. Brazen and violent criminal actors are putting retail employees and customers in harms way to steal mass quantities of products that then get sold to unsuspecting customers through online marketplaces. And we know the criminal rings use the profits from retail theft to support larger criminal activities such as human trafficking, gun smuggling, narcotics, and terrorism,” said Michael Hanson, senior executive vice president, public affairs at the Retail Industry Leaders Association. “In order to expose and stop these sophisticated criminal rings, we need the federal law enforcement to be coordinated, resourced, and focused on investigating these crimes. This legislation will do just that.”
Retail theft is pervasive across America and the economic impact of retail crime is profound. Retailers face increased costs for lost products, security and labor, all which can contribute to higher prices for consumers and lower sales. Retailers welcome a cohesive national strategy to help fight against the tide of organized retail crime.
“Retail leaders are thrilled there is bipartisan, bicameral momentum to address this problem and we thank Representatives Buck, Titus, Lee, Budd and Joyce for their commitment to community safety,” said Hanson. “RILA is eager to garner additional support and advance the bill.”
This bill is the House companion to S.140 sponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV).
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RILA is the US trade association for leading retailers. We convene decision-makers, advocate for the industry, and promote operational excellence and innovation. Our aim is to elevate a dynamic industry by transforming the environment in which retailers operate.
RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs, and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers domestically and abroad.
Tags
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Asset Protection
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Keeping Communities Safe
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Organized Retail Crime
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Public Policy
