Officials with the Kentucky Retail Federation report that the commonwealth lost more than $2 billion in a single year due to organized retail crime. The KRF also reports a 30% increase in organized retail crime last year.
Tod Griffin is the president of the federation. During a recent press conference, he said organized retail crime has a significant impact on all Kentuckians.
“Endangering public safety and leading to higher consumer prices, job losses, store closures, and reduced tax revenue. Studies show Kentucky retailers lose an outstanding $2 billion in total revenue due to theft each year.”
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said he will ask the General Assembly for more than $2 million over two years to build out the Organized Retail Crime Unit. Coleman broke down what would make up the unit.
“This will involve hiring three more detectives, this will involve two investigative analysts to help us connect the dots of all of the data involved in these major investigations, as well as a resource prosecutor to work with our federal, state, and local partners.”
In May, General Coleman said he added a veteran law enforcement detective to his team to focus entirely on organized retail crime. He said in the time since multiple indictments have been secured, including some from out of the state.
Kentucky's District 28 State Representative Jared Bauman, a Republican, said this effort will make a significant impact.
"An Organized Retail Crime Task Force led by the Office of the Attorney General will maximize collaboration among retailers, law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and community support organizations- to stop criminal theft rings that are operating here in Kentucky,” Bauman said. “The General Assembly looks forward to working to provide funding for strategic investigators and data analysts who can work collaboratively to send a message that Kentucky is open for business, but not open for crime.”
Louisville's Mayor Craig Greenberg said this is part of an increase in cooperation among organizations.
"Throughout Louisville Metro Government, we're stepping up our collaborative efforts with state and local partners to improve public safety," said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. "Our efforts to stop organized retail crime are no different. When we collaborate, we make Louisville safer."
