In an effort to tackle a surge in organized retail theft, the San José Police Department is stepping up its game with added patrols in shopping hot spots. Funded by an $8.4 million state grant, these extra officers are hitting the streets, promising a greater police presence to deter would-be thieves. The SJPD announced that one sergeant and three officers will man high-visibility patrols, specifically targeting evenings for six hours at a stretch, four times a week.

These new tactics come amid a troubling spike in thefts reported by the SJPD Crime Analysis Unit, with a 25% uptick in retail theft cases from 2021 to 2022, jumping from 4,610 reported cases to 5,756. According to the SJPD's news release, the schedule for these patrols may change, adapting to crime trends, the bustling holiday season, and department needs. But it's not just boots on the ground; the department's also finalizing the roll-out of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras as part of this initiative.

Organized retail crime isn't just about shoplifting; it spans commercial burglary, vehicle burglary, fraud, fence operations of stolen goods, and much more. While the extra patrols are a clear move from the department, they're not acting alone. An Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Detail, composed of four dedicated investigators, has been established to follow up on these crimes and keep an eye on the city's theft patterns.

For residents with tips on potential crimes, the department encourages contacting them through various means. Information can be sent anonymously via the P3TIPS mobile app, the tip line at (408) 947-STOP, or the website www.siliconvalleycrimestoppers.org. And there's a carrot for whistle-blowers: if your tip leads to an arrest, you might find a cash bonus courtesy of the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers Program.