Attorney General Bob Ferguson is convening his third Organized Retail Crime (ORC) Task Force meeting in Tacoma on March 29.
The purpose of the ORC Task Force is to address the growing ORC problem in Washington State by:
- Increasing coordination between retailers, law enforcement, and prosecutors at all levels of government,
- Enforcement of laws and prosecutions of ORC theft groups,
- Deterring retail thefts and making it known that Washington State will not tolerate retail crimes.
Participating in the meeting will be representatives of law enforcement, prosecutors, retailers, loss prevention officers, and members of the AG’s staff. Washington Retail Association President/CEO Renée Sunde, Senior VP of Policy and Government Affairs Mark Johnson, and Communications Director Robert Haase will be attending.
Combatting ORC and related public safety concerns remain among WR’s top issues. The task force is one of several strategies in WR’s approach to slow retail theft. WR’s multi-pronged approach includes:
- Passage of an online marketplace transparency bill—the INFORM Act—which congress approved in the December omnibus bill
- Continued coordination with the Washington State Organized Retail Crime Association to increase communication among national, state, and local law enforcement agencies and loss prevention officers
- Passing laws to support and fund law enforcement and enabling officers to do their jobs by effectively providing tools to deter and apprehend criminals
- Telling the story of how retail theft impacts retail employees, customers, and retailers of all types and sizes
- Providing resources for small and mid-sized retailers on how to prepare, prevent, protect, and navigate post-crime
Registration is required for both in-person and virtual attendance. WR will announce registration details as soon as they become available.
