In response to the spike in smash-and-grab robberies troubling Los Angeles County, recent progress has been noted by the newly-formed Organized Retail Theft Task Force. Based on an update from a press conference yesterday, the Task Force reported 89 arrests, the recovery of six firearms, the serving of 52 warrants, and over $370,000 worth of stolen goods returned.
Creating the Task Force was a response to the theft crisis faced by retailers across the county by Los Angeles County Supervisors Janice Hahn and Hilda Solis, Sheriff Robert Luna, and Commerce Mayor Hugo Argumedo. The Task Force's creation followed a unanimous approval of a $15.6 million grant by the Board of Supervisors, funding that fuels the operation's rapid success.
Sheriff Robert Luna outlined the Task Force's mission at the conference, focusing confrontation at every level of the criminal chain including individual thieves and those selling the stolen goods. Luna mentioned the mission aims to empower community members to shop unafraid and encourage retailers to open their doors without fear.
Supervisor Hilda L. Solis also recognized the deep impact of the ongoing retail crimes on small businesses, workers, and shoppers. Solis pointed to episodes like an elderly shopkeeper's brutal beating in Chinatown and a 34-year-old liquor store clerk's fatal shooting in West Covina, she came out in support for the Task Force and their collective efforts to combat these pressing problems.
The Organized Retail Theft Task Force, consists of 32 members, collaborates with other law enforcement agencies, including the LAPD and CHP, according to a press release. The joint belief is, through sharing resources, conducting joint operations, and sharing information, the agencies can more effectively bring those responsible for these crimes to justice, including those directly involved in the robberies and those organizing and selling the stolen goods.
Part of the Task Force's strategy is working with business owners to establish communication lines, along side a public education campaign to give consumers the tools to recognize stolen goods and make informed shopping decisions, especially online.
