First appeared on FOX: A group of more than 75 House members is pressuring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on the issue of organized retail crime (ORC), a problem that cities and states across the country have been grappling with in recent years.
“ORCs pose risks not only from the violence often shown during acts of retail theft, particularly toward retail employees, but also from the health risks posed by consumption of stolen goods, such as baby formula or medicine, which may be improperly stored or tampered with before ultimately being purchased by a consumer,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter sent late Thursday.
“ORCs pose a danger not only to public safety, but also to Main Street businesses and the economy. According to a Retail Industry Leaders Association report, ORCs caused nearly $70 billion in economic losses due to merchandise stolen from U.S. retailers in 2019. This figure continues to grow year over year, impacting businesses, communities and consumers of all sizes.”
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Rep. David Joyce is leading a group of more than 75 House members in pressuring the Department of Homeland Security regarding organized retail crime. (Getty Images)
The letter, led by Republican Rep. David Joyce of Ohio, calls on the Department of Homeland Security to report to Congress on “efforts to resolve the issue.”
Specifically, lawmakers are focusing on progress by DHS's Homeland Security Investigations agency in establishing an Organized Retail Crime Coordination Center.
The creation of the committee “will significantly enhance the ability of law enforcement agencies and companies to mitigate the threat posed by these sophisticated criminal networks,” the official said.
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Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images/File)
“The center will facilitate better information sharing, resource allocation and strategic planning, which may ultimately lead to more effective prevention and enforcement actions,” they wrote.
As criminal gangs spread to more towns and cities across the United States, the impact of retail theft, especially organized theft, has become a bipartisan issue.
The letter was signed by 46 Republicans and 30 Democrats.
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Organized retail crime is prevalent across the country in large and small stores alike. (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
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Joyce previously served as subcommittee chairman of the House Appropriations Committee's Homeland Security Committee, which advanced legislation to fund the Organized Retail Crime Coordination Center for fiscal year 2024.
The effort began as a bipartisan bill led by Rep. Joyce, former Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.), and Rep. Susie Lee (D-Nev.).
