RLP NEWS
HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut Attorney General William Tong is co-leading a bipartisan coalition of 38 states and territories in urging Congress to take decisive action against the growing wave of organized retail crime across the United States.
According to Tong’s office, organized retail crime has led to over $121 billion in financial losses, with cargo theft remaining a major factor that disrupts supply chains and drives up prices.
“This isn’t petty shoplifting,” said Tong. “These are sophisticated criminal organizations that recruit vulnerable individuals to steal, fueling large-scale online fencing operations. Their actions endanger retail workers and contribute to rising costs for all consumers.”
The coalition is calling on Congress to reintroduce and strengthen legislation that would bolster state and federal law enforcement efforts. Previously introduced bills, H.R. 895/S. 140 (“Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2023”) and S. 139 (“Organized Retail Crime Center Authorization Act of 2023”), aimed to crack down on retail theft networks. Now, Tong and his fellow attorneys general are pushing for expanded federal penalties for supply chain thefts, arguing that stricter consequences are needed to deter criminals from targeting goods in transit.
While some states have already formed task forces to address organized retail crime, Tong’s coalition is advocating for the creation of an Organized Retail Crime Coordination Center within the Department of Homeland Security. This center would facilitate information sharing across state lines, making it easier to track and dismantle these criminal networks.
The effort is co-led by attorneys general from Georgia, Illinois, and South Carolina, underscoring the broad, bipartisan concern over the nationwide impact of organized retail crime.