Washington, DC – As first reported by Fox News, U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-40) today introduced the Improving Federal Investigations of Organized Retail Crime Act (H.R. 316), a bipartisan bill to help address organized retail crimes hurting retailers and endangering public safety.
Reps. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Maria Salazar (FL-27) and Andrew Garbarino (NY-02) joined Rep. Kim in introducing the bill.
According to a 2020 report by the National Retail Foundation (NRF), retailers, on average, saw a 26.5% increase in Organized Retail Crime (ORC) incidents in 2021. Beyond the loss of goods, eight in ten retailers surveyed report that the violence and aggression associated with ORC incidents increased in the past year. When taken as a percentage of total retail sales in 2021, ORC shrink represents $94.5 billion in losses, up from $90.8 billion in 2020.
“In my district, we see businesses victimized by organized retail crime nearly every week. This cannot become our new normal,” said Kim. “I am proud to lead the Improving Federal Investigations of Organized Retail Crime Act to boost information sharing between the federal government, state and local law enforcement and entities to address organized retail crime and hold these criminal networks accountable. I will always work hard to protect our Southern California communities and to promote a safe environment for entrepreneurs to operate, grow their enterprises and create jobs.”
“Protecting our residents and businesses is key to Orange County’s economic success and organized retail crime is a threat to that stability. Orange County Business Council is proud to support Rep. Kim’s continued focus on finding common sense solutions at the federal level that will make an impact to retailers locally,” said Jeff Ball, President and CEO, Orange County Business Council.
“Organized retail crime is a frequent issue that is just as costly as it is common. Crimes like these are a concern for our small business community and local economy, which is why our chamber welcomes efforts to develop solutions. Congresswoman Young Kim has a history of developing solutions for small businesses and this chamber supports her work on the Improving Federal Investigations of Organized Retail Crime Act,” said Alex Hernandez, Policy Advocate, Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce.
“Organized retail crime threatens the safety and the economy of our South County communities. The South Orange County Economic Coalition is proud to support Rep. Kim’s dedicated work to improve the federal response to these criminal acts so Orange County’s entrepreneurs can operate securely and confidently,” said Victoria Hernandez, Executive Director of the South Orange County Economic Coalition.
The Improving Federal Investigations of Organized Retail Crime Act directs the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Postal Service and other relevant agencies to create a cohesive strategy and reporting to Congress on how the federal government can:
- Improve coordination and information sharing among federal law enforcement agencies;
- Increase collaboration with retailers, organized retail crime associations and state-run retail crime taskforces; and,
- Assist state and local authorities in compiling evidence for the prosecution of organized retail crime.
This week alone, 9 small businesses in Rancho Santa Margarita, Laguna Hills and Mission Viejo in Rep. Kim’s district in South Orange County were victims of smash-and-grab crimes.
Additionally, small businesses in Yorba Linda, Orange and Brea in or near her district were recent targets. Rep. Kim visited David Hayman Jewelers in Yorba Linda last year to hear about their experience.
Rep. Kim first introduced the Improving Federal Investigations of Organized Retail Crime Act during the 117th Congress after hearing from small business owners in her district.
Read the bill text HERE.
