Organized retail crime continues to be a serious problem. To draw attention to the issue, today, Oct. 24, is designated National Fight Back Against Organized Retail Crime Day.
Maryland congressman Glenn Ivey says organized retail crime is a growing problem, and offenders are getting more sophisticated.
"We've had shoplifting and that kind of stuff forever, but this is bigger and more sophisticated and more organized, and it's having a bigger and more negative impact on a lot of the retail stores, some of which you're losing, you know, literally millions, if not billions, when you aggregate it all together," Ivey said.
The National Retail Federation has been talking with Ivey and other members of Congress about how to deal with the growing problem.
Ivey says more help is needed for local law enforcement, who need to know more about what is going on outside their jurisdiction.
"Sometimes it's important to have the feds step in, especially if it's a large enterprise, if it's regional or even national. Uh, and if they're using, uh, that, that geography against law enforcement to protect themselves and carry out more crimes," Ivey said.