NEWS & INFO

Oct 23

The National Coalition of Law Enforcement and Retail Announces New Board of Directors Appointments

The Coalition of Law Enforcement and Retail (CLEAR) is pleased to announce the recruitment and nomination of several new members to its Board of Directors, marking an exciting step forward for the organization. With these strategic appointments, the Board is proud to share that all open roles have been filled, creating a dynamic and fully staffed leadership team.

The Board of Directors has unanimously elected the following individuals to key leadership positions:

Raul Aguilar - Senior Director - Law Enforcement Partnerships, Auror
Melissa Lauricello - Senior Manager of Asset Protection Investigations, Gap Inc.
Rich Rossman - Sergeant, Broward County Sheriff’s Office
Christian Hardman - Supervisor of Criminal and Regulatory Investigations, eBay
Tom Meehan - Chief Executive Officer, ControlTek
Kyle Woods - Director of Organized Retail Crime, Virginia Office of the Attorney General
Bill Corfield - Senior Manager of Field Investigations, Target
Kelly Hansen - Director of Organized Retail Crime, Macy’s
Howard Mergler - Sergeant, Fairfax County Police Department

These talented leaders bring a wealth of experience and a shared vision for the future of

CLEAR, setting the stage for impactful progress. Their diverse expertise, spanning both retail

and law enforcement sectors, will be instrumental in advancing the coalition’s mission to foster collaboration, improve investigative efforts, and drive legislative initiatives that benefit both sectors and public safety alike.

With every seat on the Board now filled, the Coalition is energized to move forward with zero

vacancies, ensuring that no opportunity is left unmet in advancing the strategic initiatives that will shape the years ahead.

The Coalition of Law Enforcement and Retail extends its heartfelt congratulations to all the

newly elected members and looks forward to working closely with them to continue its mission of promoting best practices, enhancing security, and strengthening relationships between law enforcement and retail partners.

This exciting new chapter marks a renewed focus on innovation, advocacy, and proactive

engagement, and the organization is eager to embark on this journey with its fully staffed Board leading the way.

"We are excited to welcome this talented group of leaders to our Board of Directors. Their collective expertise will play a critical role in advancing CLEAR’s mission of fostering collaboration between retail and law enforcement. With every seat on the Board now filled, we are well-positioned to drive key initiatives and continue making a meaningful impact in the years ahead. This is a pivotal moment for our organization, and I look forward to the great work we will accomplish together." – Jason Davies, Vice President of Retail, CLEAR

"This announcement marks a significant milestone for CLEAR as we welcome a dynamic

group of leaders to our Board of Directors. Each individual brings unique skills and perspectives that will be crucial in driving our mission forward. With a fully staffed Board, we are better positioned than ever to enhance collaboration between law enforcement and retail, tackle emerging challenges, and implement strategic initiatives. I’m excited to see the impact this team will have as we work together to create safer environments and foster stronger partnerships." – John 'JC' Clark, Executive Director, CLEAR

Sep 27

Grassroots in Action: 2024 Western States Organized Retail Crime Conference Sets a New Standard

The Western States Organized Retail Crime Alliance (WSORCA) recently made history with its first-ever in-person event, the 2024 Western States Organized Retail Crime Conference. Held from September 10th to 12th, 2024, at eBay's corporate headquarters in Draper, Utah, this event marked a significant milestone for the fight against organized retail crime (ORC) in the Western U.S.

Over 400 attendees, including law enforcement officers, retailers, prosecutors, and vendors, gathered for the 2.5-day conference, which was driven by a powerful grassroots effort. Eleven Organized Retail Crime Associations (ORCAs) from across the Western states played a pivotal role in organizing this collaborative event, highlighting the strength and unity of these grassroots organizations in combating ORC.

A New Model for Industry Conferences

The 2024 conference set itself apart from other industry events by showcasing the power of community-driven initiatives. Unlike the traditional corporate-sponsored or vendor-focused conferences, WSORCA's event emphasized collaboration between industry professionals rather than sales. Vendors at the conference were not just sponsors; they actively participated alongside law enforcement and retailers, contributing their expertise and working towards the common goal of addressing ORC.

This collaborative spirit extended across the entire conference, creating an atmosphere of shared purpose. Attendees repeatedly praised the event’s unity of purpose, noting how seamlessly retailers, law enforcement, prosecutors, and vendors worked together to share knowledge, resources, and strategies to combat ORC. This level of partnership is rarely seen at typical industry events and is a hallmark of WSORCA’s unique grassroots approach.

Tackling Organized Retail Crime: A Multifaceted Approach

The conference featured an impressive lineup of industry experts who presented on a wide range of topics, from Open-Source Intelligence to Task Force creation, and from the tactical use of mobile surveillance to prosecutorial strategies with representatives from District Attorney and Attorney General offices. The agenda was packed with informative sessions aimed at equipping attendees with actionable strategies for combating organized retail crime, while also leaving room for valuable networking opportunities.

This multifaceted approach to combating ORC is central to WSORCA’s mission of educating law enforcement and retailers alike. The success of this year’s event demonstrated that a grassroots organization can provide the same level of impact, if not greater, than its more commercially driven counterparts.

Vendors as True Partners, Not Just Sponsors

One of the standout aspects of this year’s conference was the role of vendors. Rather than being present solely to market their products, vendors took on a more collaborative role, actively contributing to the success of the event. Their involvement in the discussions and workshops helped create a unique synergy among all participants, setting this conference apart from more traditional events.

A Unified Front Against ORC

The conference was a powerful demonstration of the strength that comes from unity. Across the board, from law enforcement agencies to retailers and vendors, there was a shared sense of purpose in fighting organized retail crime. This unity was repeatedly cited as the most distinctive and impactful element of the conference. The collaborative atmosphere fostered at the event is exactly what WSORCA aims to achieve in its ongoing mission to create stronger partnerships across the industry to combat ORC.

Looking to the Future

The success of this year’s Western States Organized Retail Crime Conference has set a new standard for industry gatherings. The event demonstrated the untapped potential of grassroots initiatives in addressing complex challenges like organized retail crime. As WSORCA continues to evolve, its commitment to collaboration and community-driven efforts will remain central to its mission.

CLEAR understands that when industry professionals unite around common goals and a spirit of collaboration, the outcomes can be truly transformative. As WSORCA plans for the future, CLEAR is committed to supporting their ongoing efforts to strengthen this foundation, promote unity, and drive impactful change in the fight against organized retail crime.

"The 2024 Western States Organized Retail Crime Conference was a game-changer for law enforcement, retailers, and solution providers alike. It really demonstrated what we at CLEAR have been promoting for more than a decades… We can achieve great success when we all come together with a common goal!," said Jason Davies, CLEAR Vice President of Retail.

"What impressed me the most was the incredible collaboration between law enforcement, retailers, and industry partners through a grassroots movement. Everyone worked hand in hand generating a level of energy and teamwork you don’t typically see at larger retail industry events," He continued, "This event wasn’t just about discussing problems—it was about finding real, actionable solutions. The teamwork and dedication on display is the standard that CLEAR continues to promote as to how we all should approach organized retail crime moving forward. This model of collaboration is exactly how the vision and mission of CLEAR was envisioned and will continue to shape how we combat retail crime nationwide."

Sep 27

Virginia’s ORC Legislative Luncheon

On August 28th, 2024, the Virginia Office of the Attorney General, led by Attorney General Jason Miyares, hosted a pivotal Organized Retail Crime (ORC) Roundtable Legislative Luncheon. This event gathered key players from law enforcement, retail, and the legislature to discuss ongoing initiatives to combat the growing threat of organized retail theft in Virginia. Among the attendees was Mark McDermott, CLEAR Regional Director and Group Manager of Investigations for JCPenney, who actively participated in the discussions representing the retail sector.

The luncheon, which brought together state senators, representatives, Commonwealth attorneys, and members of the Commonwealth Retail Association, focused on the collaboration between public and private sectors in tackling ORC. Kyle Woods, head of the ORC Task Force formed by Attorney General Miyares, emphasized the importance of this cooperation. The task force is dedicated to streamlining efforts to target and dismantle large-scale criminal organizations that engage in organized theft, a crime that costs Virginia retailers around $1.3 billion annually.

Mark McDermott spoke on behalf of retailers, highlighting the serious challenges they face in dealing with ORC. He discussed how this complex issue affects both businesses and communities, pointing out that legislators are often unaware of its broader, long-term impacts. He also shared insights into CLEAR’s role in supporting state and federal efforts to strengthen ORC prosecution, stating, "Events like this luncheon are a vital step forward in building the necessary partnerships to truly combat organized retail crime. By bringing together lawmakers and enforcement agencies, we can create a unified front that not only addresses theft but also protects the future of our businesses and communities."

The roundtable also discussed recent legislative developments in Virginia. As part of the state's broader anti-ORC strategy, new laws, including Virginia Code § 18.2-103.1, have been enacted. These laws allow for the aggregation of theft incidents across multiple counties into a single charge, simplifying prosecution and streamlining law enforcement efforts. The goal is to deliver more efficient and severe penalties for those involved in organized retail theft.

The luncheon ended with productive conversations between retailers and law enforcement, pushing for stronger collaboration and more robust efforts to combat ORC statewide. As McDermott underscored, the success of initiatives like these relies on sustained communication and partnership among all involved stakeholders.

The Attorney General’s task force, in collaboration with retailers and law enforcement, continues to drive forward in this fight, ensuring that the right resources are allocated to protect businesses and consumers alike.

Sources: 13News Now, Virginia Attorney General

Sources: 13News Now, Virginia Attorney General