Dozens of bipartisan lawmakers press DHS for action on organized retail theft

A group of more than 75 House lawmakers is pressing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on the issue of organized retail crime (ORC), a problem that cities and states across the country have grappled with in recent years.

"The risk of ORC is not only due to the violence oftentimes displayed during the act of retail theft, especially to retail workers, but also health risks posed by consuming stolen goods like baby formula or pharmaceuticals, which may be improperly stored or tampered with prior to the final purchase by a consumer," the legislators are writing in a letter to be sent later on Thursday.

"Beyond public safety, ORC also endangers Main Street businesses and the economy. A Retail Industry Leader’s Association report indicated that ORC caused nearly $70 billion in financial losses due to stolen goods from U.S. retailers in 2019. That number has continued to increase year by year, impacting businesses of all sizes, communities, and consumers."