The legislature’s final supplemental budget includes $500,000 in General Fund-State funding for fiscal year 2027 for the WAORCA pilot program, an important investment in Washington’s ongoing efforts to respond to organized retail crime.
This funding was secured thanks in large part to the leadership of Rep. Mari Leavitt, who has spent significant time working to better understand this pervasive issue and help advance meaningful solutions. Over the interim, Rep. Leavitt took a hands-on approach to learning about the real-world impacts of organized retail crime (ORC), which included attending the NRF State Legislative Leadership Experience, attending an ORC conference, convening a public safety roundtable discussion during the interim, and participating in a ride-along during a fence operation bust to see these challenges up close.
This funding will continue to support the pilot program launched last year, which is focused on developing innovative ways to respond to organized retail crime, particularly through diversion-oriented programs. It builds on progress already made and reinforces the value of sustained resources in tackling retail crime.
While no other major public safety legislation supported by WR advanced this session, this funding is an important step forward.
We are grateful to Rep. Leavitt for her partnership, leadership, and commitment to this issue, and we look forward to continuing this work in the interim.
