Loss Prevention Strategies for Combating Organized Retail Theft
Frank Costa, President of NEXGEN Protections Services on Loss Preventions Strategies:
Organized retail theft (ORT) impacts more than just a retailer’s bottom line; it creates dangerous environments for both staff and shoppers. The increasing incidents of violence and aggression have pushed retailers to invest heavily in loss prevention strategies. In response, major retailers are partnering with technology innovators to strengthen their defenses.
(ORT) involves coordinated efforts by professional thieves to steal large quantities of merchandise from retail stores. Unlike casual shoplifting, ORT is systematic, with stolen goods often resold through various channels, including online marketplaces. This form of theft has seen a significant rise in recent years, resulting in billions of dollars in annual losses for retailers.
Companies such as Walmart, Target, Lowe’s, Kroger, Macy’s, CVS, and others are at the forefront, using cutting-edge technology to deter and detect criminal activity. From advanced video surveillance systems to biometric cameras and autonomous security robots, retailers are deploying a formidable arsenal to combat the growing threat of ORT. Central to this technological revolution is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), which enhances the sophistication and effectiveness of existing security measures.
Source:
Danielson, R. (February 20, 2025). Retail Resilience: Technology Strategies to Combat Organized Theft. Security Magazine.
Hashtags: #protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsafety #mobilesecurity #securitythreats
Guidelines for Handling ICE Enforcement Actions: For Businesses, Schools, & Houses of Worship
Frank Costa, President of NEXGEN Protection Services on ICE Enforcement Actions:
ICE raids have not been corroborated by officials. Most ICE Enforcement operations appear to have taken place in public areas, particularly locations where immigrants are known to gather, such as outside restaurants and large hardware stores where day laborers are often hired.
President Donald Trump promised a significant increase in the number of migrants detained and deported, and on the day of his inauguration, he signed several executive orders to address the issue. The Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary issued a directive rescinding a previous order that made sensitive areas—such as schools, churches, and hospitals—off-limits for most immigration enforcement actions.
Guidelines for Businesses Facing an ICE Enforcement Action:
- Record the officers’ names and badge numbers.
- If there is no warrant, allow agents to enter public areas of the premises. If they attempt to search nonpublic areas, inform them that you object to the search but do not physically restrain them.
- If the officers have a warrant, ensure it is signed by a judge and take note of any restrictions listed, such as specific places to be searched. Even with a signed warrant, a representative from the company should state that the company does not consent to the search. A company representative should follow the officers to ensure they remain within the boundaries of the warrant and document any actions that might exceed those bounds.
- Businesses should not assist employees who attempt to hide from officers, nor should they lie to officers or attempt to destroy or hide documents or equipment.
- Unlock any locked areas that are covered by the warrant if requested by the officers.
- Do not interfere if officers speak with employees, and do not instruct employees to avoid cooperating. However, you may inform employees that they are not required to answer officers’ questions.
The full guidance also notes that ICE may audit the business’s I-9 documentation and provides additional instructions on how to respond to such notifications.
Source:
Briscoe, S. (January 28, 2025). Companies, Schools, Houses of Worship, and Hospitals Get Advice for Handling ICE Enforcement Actions. Security Managment Magazine.
New Framework for Law Enforcement to Make Ethical Decisions
Frank Costa, President of NEXGEN Protection Services on Law Enforcement:
Europol released a new framework designed to help law enforcement make ethical decisions regarding the incorporation of new technologies into their work.
The framework is part of the report Assessing Technologies in Law Enforcement: A Method for Ethical Decision-Making, which provides a structured approach for evaluating new technology while ensuring the preservation of public trust and the protection of fundamental rights.
The goal of the framework is to ensure that the adoption and use of new technologies align with core values such as transparency, fairness, privacy, and accountability. By implementing this structured ethical framework, Europol aims to enhance public confidence in law enforcement’s use of technology, ensuring that innovation in policing aligns with societal values and legal safeguards.
The framework outlines steps to support law enforcement in making ethically sound decisions when using innovative technology. It encourages law enforcement agencies to ask the following four questions to assess the ethical appropriateness of technology:
- Consistency: Is the use of the technology always appropriate under similar conditions?
- Dignity: Does the technology usage demonstrate that law enforcement agencies are acting in the best interest of the people, rather than using their authority solely for other objectives?
- Public Acceptance: Would the use of this technology be acceptable to the public if it were made generally known?
- Accountability: Are the necessary competencies and resources in place to take responsibility for the use of the technology?
If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” Europol recommends rejecting or modifying the use of the technology in that specific case. If the answers are affirmative, Europol suggests law enforcement agencies evaluate the potential short-term and long-term consequences of using the technology. This step helps weigh the potential impacts on all parties involved and assess any biases that might arise.
Source:
Gates, M. (February 21, 2025). Europol Publishes Framework on Ethical Use of New Technology in Law Enforcement. Security Management Magazine.
