Nassau Standard

U.S. Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (NY-04) hosted a roundtable this week with industry leaders, lawmakers, and law enforcement to study and discuss the increasing threat of organized retail crime (ORC) on Long Island, in the United States, and globally.

Participants included Commissioner Patrick J. Ryder, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Representative Nick LaLota, Assistant Special Agent in Charge George Ioannidis, Nassau District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly, Suffolk District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney, Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr., Deputy Police Commissioner Belinda Groneman, Home Depot Sr. Manager of Asset Protection Investigations Sean Browne, Walgreens Director of Asset Protection Solutions Joseph Stein, and Walmart Senior Analyst Matthew Walsh.

“I was thankful to be joined by Rep. LaLota and other local leaders and corporate officials last weekend to investigate the scourge of organized retail crime on Long Island and throughout the United States,” said Rep. D’Esposito. “What the roundtable made clear was that organized retail crime is a huge problem, and one that’s costing corporations and consumers billions of dollars over the years – It must be stopped.”

Following the roundtable, Reps. LaLota and D’Esposito led a press conference to discuss their findings. Importantly, Rep. D’Esposito announced the introduction of his “Supporting Law Enforcement Officers’ Ability to Combat Organized Retail Crime Act.” This legislation directs Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers to develop guidance, outreach programs, training materials for educating law enforcement on ORC threats. It also directs DHS to research technologies and techniques to enhance security support provided by DHS officials in combating ORC.

“The introduction of this legislation comes as a result of careful conversations with law enforcement and corporate professionals and is an important first step in curtailing the damages caused by ORC,” said Rep. D’Esposito. “Education and communication between law enforcement professionals is paramount, and I look forward to Congress’s passage of my bill which does exactly that.”

Click here to view the bill text.