Attack on Organized Retail Theft : News Conference Monday Dec. 5

City of Dallas sent this bulletin at 12/02/2011 07:47 PM CST

Mayor Rawlings, Dallas Police Department, Public Safety and Retail Partners Announce: An Attack on Organized Retail Theft

What: Mayor Mike Rawlings and the Dallas Police Department will announce a new approach to combating organized retail theft. The effort developed in partnership with retailers, the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office and the City of Dallas Attorney’s Office, will work to significantly reduce retail theft and its large scale impact.

Retail theft continues to be a leading crime across the United States. According to the National Retail Federation, retailers lost $12.1 billion nationwide in 2010. It is estimated Dallas County lost $20 million in sales tax revenue in 2010 as a result of retail theft. The City of Dallas is a target for organized retail thieves who are responsible for large scale theft and fencing operations.

Who: - Mike Rawlings, Dallas Mayor

- Craig Watkins, Dallas County District Attorney

- David O. Brown, Dallas Police Chief

- Jim Hughes, North Texas Crime Commission

- Fred Williams, Dallas City Attorney’s Office

- Representatives from:

o Target

o Walmart

o Tom Thumb

o Fiesta

o Kroger

o Home Depot