Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody Criticizes Cities’ Failure in Fighting Retail Theft
Florida is leading the charge in tackling organized retail crime, which has been crippling small businesses and big retailers across the nation. According to Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, other cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, and Seattle are failing to address the issue effectively. The common factor in these cities is the lack of support from their executive leaders, including mayors and attorneys general.
Liberal Cities Most Affected by Organized Retail Crime
The National Retail Federation’s National Retail Security Survey revealed that five liberal cities are the most plagued by organized retail crime. Los Angeles takes the top spot, followed by San Francisco/Oakland, Houston, New York City, and Seattle.
Florida’s Success Lies in Leadership Support
Moody attributes Florida’s success in combating organized retail crime to the support of law enforcement by state leadership. Unlike cities like Los Angeles and New York City, Florida’s executive leaders actively encourage and prop up law enforcement efforts. This support has been crucial in making a significant impact on organized retail theft.
Florida Organized Retail Crime Exchange Taskforce
In December 2021, Attorney General Moody launched the Florida Organized Retail Crime Exchange taskforce (FORCE) to dismantle retail crime rings and protect businesses, consumers, and citizens in the state. FORCE is a statewide task force and database that identifies trends, subjects, and massive organized retail theft rings. It fosters collaboration between law enforcement, prosecutors, and retailers to share information on theft incidents statewide.
Building Strong Cases with RICO Charges
Florida’s strategy extends beyond empowering law enforcement. FORCE focuses on building strong cases against crime rings by utilizing RICO charges. RICO laws allow state prosecutors to combine multiple criminal acts into a single prosecution. By engaging with retailers, local law enforcement, and obtaining information from boosters (professional thieves and shoplifters), Florida is able to build robust RICO cases against organized retail theft.
Recent Successes in Arresting Retail Theft Ring Suspects
In October, Florida authorities arrested over a dozen individuals connected to a retail theft ring responsible for $20 million in losses in 2023. These arrests demonstrate the effectiveness of Florida’s approach to combatting organized retail crime.
Florida’s commitment to supporting law enforcement, building strong cases, and collaboration among stakeholders sets it apart from other cities struggling with the exponential increase in organized retail theft. By prioritizing the fight against organized retail crime, Florida is protecting businesses, residents, and the overall safety of the community.
