Husted joins bill to crack down on retail crime

WASHINGTON - Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) has joined Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Catherine Cortez Masto's (D-Nev.) Combating Organized Retail Crime Act. This bipartisan bill would create a multi-agency task force to help law enforcement analyze trends and share intelligence about organized retail theft.

Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH-14) leads the companion bill to the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act in the House of Representatives.

"Retail theft is on the rise, and it is costing Ohioans billions. Organized retail crime endangers workers and customers, hurts businesses and fuels organized crime. I'm proud to support this bipartisan solution to give law enforcement stronger tools to stop organized retail crime, recover stolen goods and proceeds and keep our communities safe," said Husted.

"Businesses throughout my district are facing the burdens of a rise in organized retail crimes and fraud schemes that are sweeping the nation. These criminal organizations are not only harming small businesses and retailers in our communities, but are also putting American consumers at risk of violence and fraud. These crimes also have more widespread consequences for public safety, as these organized groups often resell stolen goods to finance other illicit activities, including drug and human trafficking operations. Our bipartisan, bicameral legislation will give law enforcement the tools they need to put a stop to these rampant crimes. I want to thank Senator Grassley for his steadfast leadership on this effort and all our House and Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their partnership in addressing this critical issue," said Joyce.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act would direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish the Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center to support federal investigations as well as state and local law enforcement.

The bill would also create new tools to assist in federal investigations and prosecutions of organized retail crime. It would help recapture lost goods and proceeds.

Retailers lost nearly $100 billion to theft in 2022.

The following groups endorse the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act: The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Major County Sheriffs of America, the National Retail Federation, the Retail Industry Leaders Association, the Reusable Packaging Association, the Association of American Railroads, the American Trucking Association, UPS, DHL, the U.S. Dairy Export Council, the National Milk Producers Foundation, the Intermodal Association of North America, the Transportation Intermediaries Association, the PASS (Protect America's Small Sellers) Coalition, the International Downtown Association, Amazon, the World Shipping Council, Pirate Ship, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Peace Officers Research Association of California, International Council of Shopping Centers, National District Attorneys Association, World Shipping Council and the Home Depot.

Full text of the bill is available here.