"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.
Massachusetts State Police IA Kristin Wilczynski-Boyle will provide a presentation on the Commonwealth Fusion Center, Room 120 from 10-12pm on March 19, 2025. Below are some of the topics she will cover:
Role of Fusion Centers
Fusion Centers in MA
CFC Capabilities
Units/Programs under CFC umbrella:
Working with local PDs
Working with the private sector
INTERPOL
CFC & Task Forces
SAR Indicators & Behaviors/Reporting
Different types of staff at the CFC:
Massachusetts Association of Crime Analysts (MACA)
P.O. Box 6123
Chelsea, MA 02150
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