In the past year, many retailers in America have faced rampant crime incidents, with the infamous 'smash and grab' operations causing considerable loss and distress. Statistics reveal that in 2022, American businesses reported a loss of $112 billion, a surge of $20 billion from the prior year. A concerning trend emerging out of this is the syndicate of organized local crime rings which burglarize retail stores and sell the stolen goods online.
This criminal behavior is not merely affecting shops but has evolved into a situation where major corporations and chains like Home Depot are also suffering substantial losses. To combat these thefts, these corporations have employed numerous measures, including locking up valuable products, hiring off-duty police and security officers, and deploying police cars outside their stores. However, the problem persists, with occasional tragic losses of lives of store associates.
The criminals, far from being petty shoplifters, are reported to be part of sophisticated crime rings that engage people from vulnerable populations for their operations. The severity of this issue has escalated since 2020, with Store and Asset Protection Associates increasingly encountering violent confrontations with 'bad actors' who've become highly aggressive. Store associates are threatened with knives, guns, and other physical assaults, evidencing the rapidly growing dangers of retail crime.
Critics argue that when room is given for petty incidences, criminals seize the opportunity, escalating to more severe crimes. This pattern is similarly seen at national borders, where the lax control initially led to human border crossings. But eventually, intense criminal activities involving cartels and drug dealers come into play.
Propositions for potential solutions are now being tabled. A bill named 'Combating Organized Retail Crime of 2023' was recently introduced in the House of Representatives aiming to quell this rising tide of retail crime. Retailers are urging lawmakers for this bill's quick passage.
While no store has yet been forced to close doors due to these thefts, the situation is worrying. The escalating costs and personal dangers associated with this trend show a grim picture of retailing in America. Major losses in terms of human lives, such as the recent death of two associates at Home Depot during separate theft incidents, have sparked cries for more effective solutions.
Experts are urging consumers to stay vigilant and avoid purchasing robbed items online, as this inadvertently fuels the cycle of theft and resale.
