MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. — Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced the new "Safe Shopping" campaign, an effort to address organized retail crime, on Nov. 15 at a press conference.
Shoppers may have already noticed the impact of organized retail crime on their holiday purchases – many more items are behind locked displays, from skincare products to cold and flu medicine.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOLED: La Fiscal del Condado Maricopa anuncia campaña 'Safe Shopping' para ir de compras de manera segura
In 2022, Maricopa County received 301 cases of organized retail crime from local police agencies and cases for 2023 will “easily surpass” that number, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s press release.
“They steal large quantities of merchandise worth thousands of dollars. They sometimes walk in with bags ready to take shelves full of product and typically the resale of this stolen merchandise is done online," Mitchell said.
Organized retail crime, or ORC, is different from shoplifting. Shoplifting is often a one-off occurrence: a person stealing one item from a store. ORC occurs when groups of people work together to steal a large amount of merchandise with the intention of reselling the goods.
Arizona Retailers Association Executive Director Michelle Ahlmer said thieves are taking just about anything and everything, which is wiping out stock in stores and driving prices up for customers.
“This is a mobile group. It’s a traveling group and they are doing damage wherever they go," Ahlmer said. “The popular things seem to be the ones that attract everyone’s attention, the good and the bad.”
Arizona stores lost a collective $1.4 billion in organized retail crime, according to the Arizona Retailers Association.
The campaign launched Wednesday is an extension of the Organized Retail Crime Taskforce at MCAO and will “expand the partnership” by asking community members to report incidences of crime.
Mitchell and the MCAO offered tips for shoppers to put ‘Safe Shopping’ into action this holiday season:
Be patient with retailers. While it might take an extra minute to get an item (decongestants, for example) from behind a locked display, it’s worth it. Know you’re doing your part to keep prices low and keep crooks at bay.
Never engage with thieves. If you’re suspicious, reach out to a store manager. Never confront a thief on your own.
Keep your personal items locked up. If you carry a handbag, keep it closed and close to you. If you leave purchases in your car between shopping stops, make sure that vehicle is locked up tight.
“Here’s what I say to the thieves who commit these crimes: we will find you, you will be arrested, and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law,” Mitchell said.
As the law stands now, Mitchell said offenders are prosecuted for an initial offense. Subsequent offenses are then grouped together.
Michell said she is asking state lawmakers to make an exception for organized retail criminals.
Ahlmer said this type of action benefits both stores and shoppers.
“We are seeing changes in Arizona due to these efforts that other states are not seeing," Ahlmer said.
More ways to get 12News
On your phone: Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
On your streaming device: Download 12News+ to your streaming device
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.