"Safe Shopping Initiative" BRIC Analyst Mika Jones and ORC Updates

"Safe Shopping Initiative" BRIC Analyst Mika Jones

Since 2024, shoplifting incidents in Boston have increased 13%, marking a 62% increase compared to the 5-year average. While routine shoplifting remains concentrated in general merchandise retailers such as Walgreens and CVS, major commercial centers are experiencing a surge in organized retail crime targeting high value merchandise. The identification of these trends,as well as the recognition of repeat offenders, has led to increased Retail Theft Operation stings, resulting in increased arrests and enhanced enforcement efforts.

ORC Updates by

Adam Berg, New England State Police Information Network (NESPIN), ORC Investigative Support to Law Enforcement

Dave Johnston, National Retail Federation (NRF) Vice President- Asset Protection & Retail Operations https://nrf.com/about-us/nrf-staff/david-johnston

Ryan Kearney, Retailers Association of Massachusetts, Vice President, and General Counsel https://www.retailersma.org/who-we-are

The second part of this meeting will cover three key topics: the Organized Retail Crime Bill, including its details and implications; trends in gift card fraud and strategies being used to address it both locally and nationally; and ongoing legislative initiatives in Massachusetts related to ORC and gift card fraud.

Zoom link will be sent as the event gets closer.