Mayor Karen Bass, Los Angeles Police Department and Regional Law Enforcement Leaders Announce New Task Force Focused on Organized Retail Theft
LOS ANGELES – Mayor Karen Bass, the Los Angeles Police Department and regional law enforcement leaders including Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna and Glendale Police Department Chief Manuel Cid today announced a new regional law enforcement task force to address organized retail crimes in the Los Angeles Region.
“What we’ve seen over just the past week in the City of Los Angeles and in surrounding regions is unacceptable, which is why today we are here announcing action,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “These are not victimless crimes – especially in the case where Angelenos were attacked – through force or fear – as they did their jobs or ran errands. No Angeleno should feel like it’s unsafe to go shopping and no Angelenos should feel like it’s unsafe to open a business in Los Angeles or Los Angeles County. This task force will aggressively investigate these incidents and hold individuals that are responsible for these crimes fully accountable.”
“I am pleased to announce the formation of a new initiative aimed at addressing a pressing concern within our community — the rampant incidents of retail theft,” said Assistant Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department Dominic Choi. “The Los Angeles Police Department’s primary duty is to ensure the safety and security of our community members and businesses. With that commitment in mind, we are aggressively attacking the escalating issue of retail theft. Retail theft not only affects businesses financially but also has a broader impact on the overall well-being of our community. The Organized Retail Crimes Task Force will work closely with retailers to enhance security measures, share information, and develop strategies to deter these crimes. Moreover, community involvement is vital to our success. We encourage residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and partner with us in this endeavor. Together, we can create an environment where our streets and businesses are safe from the scourge of retail theft.”
The task force includes the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, Glendale Police Department, Burbank Police Department, Beverly Hills Police Department, Santa Monica Police Department, U.S. Marshals Apprehension Task Force, and Federal Bureau of Investigation Apprehension Task Force. The task force will partner with prosecutors from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office and the California Attorney General’s Office.
The Los Angeles Police Department urges anyone with information regarding these types of crimes should contact 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247), 24 hours. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also go to www.lapdonline.org and click on “Anonymous Web Tips.”
Mayor Bass continues to work to increase the amount of officers in the Los Angeles Police Department. Two weeks ago, the Mayor announced a tentative contract agreement with the union representing police officers, sergeants, detectives, and lieutenants at the Los Angeles Police Department focused on improving recruitment and retention. The deal comes months after the Mayor signed her first budget, which increases funding for LAPD.
