Public Safety and Retail Theft Resources

The Washington Retail Association (WR) is the largest statewide advocate for retailers of all sectors and sizes. As Washington’s largest economic engine—collecting over 42% of state tax revenue—retailers provide essential jobs, goods, and services that keep communities strong.

Rising retail theft and organized retail crime (ORC) threaten that stability. These crimes endanger employees, deter customers, and make it harder for stores to stay open. When retailers must lock products, reduce hours, or close, communities lose access to critical goods and services.

WR is leading efforts to address these challenges. Working with state agencies, law enforcement, and community partners, we provide advocacy, tools, and resources to help retailers protect their employees, customers, and businesses.

Key Resources

Economic Impact of Retail Theft & ORC: This one-pager breaks down the national and Washington State economic toll of retail theft and ORC, outlining the growing financial pressures on retailers and the communities they serve.

ORC Resource Hub – Developed in partnership with Challenge Seattle, offer practical tools, best practices, and strategies to prevent theft and strengthen safety. The hub is a one-stop for up-to-date coverage on news stories and retail theft data.

NRF: 2025 Impact of Retail Theft & Violence Report – National data on theft trends, in-store violence, ORC impacts, and recommended mitigation strategies.

U.S. Chamber: Retail Crime Data Center – State and national data illustrating the economic cost of retail crime, plus policy insights and trend analysis.

WAORCA – A statewide coalition connecting retailers, loss prevention professionals, and law enforcement to share intelligence, provide training, and coordinate responses to ORC.

Attorney General’s ORC Unit -A dedicated unit focused on investigating, prosecuting, and disrupting organized retail crime across Washington.