(The Center Square) – U.S. Reps. Dina Titus, D-Nevada, and David Joyce, R-Ohio, have introduced a bill to fight organized retail theft.
The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act establishes an Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Titus’ press release says this coordination center will improve collaboration between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. These agencies can create a reliable strategy to prevent retail theft and share valuable resources, according to the news release.
Titus and Joyce’s bill, which was introduced last week, targets theft, fraud and other organized crimes that occur in retail stores and numerous components of America’s supply chain.
Titus said creating this coordinated federal response would help target criminals and transnational groups who harm consumers, local businesses and transportation networks.
“This legislation will help law enforcement better pursue and prosecute these bad actors, while protecting businesses and saving consumer dollars,” she said.
Retail theft has increased in recent years. A National Retail Federation study showed that retail larceny incidents increased 93% from 2019 to 2023.
Capital One Shopping Research estimates that over $143 billion in retail sales will be lost to theft this year, compared to almost $91 billion in 2020. In addition, Capital One’s research showed that Nevada retailers lost $847 million in revenue to theft in 2022.
As retail theft continues to increase in America, the threat of violence is almost on the rise. NRF research showed in 2023 that 84% of retailers said violence during a retail threat had become more of a concern than the year before.
As retail theft is on the rise, so is cargo theft. CargoNet said cargo theft in America and Canada increased 27% from 2023 to 2024.
U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada, sponsored companion legislation for the organized retail theft bill in the Senate.
