Organized Retail Crime (ORC) poses a significant threat to retailers, worldwide, including jewelry businesses. Sophisticated criminal groups are actively employing a variety of techniques to steal high-value items, causing substantial financial losses and jeopardizing the safety of employees and customers. To help address this crisis, Jewelers Mutual and Jewelers Security Alliance (JSA) have come together to help explain the current crime landscape, provide trends and tactics to look out for, and educate you on the key security measures business owners can take now to help mitigate loss.
Understanding the current crisis
What is organized retail crime?
Organized retail crime involves the coordinated efforts of professional criminals to steal large quantities of merchandise from retail establishments. Unlike petty theft, ORC operations are typically well-planned in advance, often involving multiple individuals. These criminals may employ various tactics, including distraction techniques, smash-and-grabs, and the use of tools and sophisticated technology to bypass security systems.
The current risk landscape
Criminals are exploiting rooftops and shared walls with neighboring businesses to break into safes and vaults. Armed with torches, angle grinders, pry bars and other tools, they have stolen millions in merchandise and caused severe financial losses for business owners.
These criminals meticulously surveil potential targets, especially those near construction sites or vacant buildings, during business hours. Under the cover of night, often disguised as construction workers, they gain entry.
The impact on jewelry businesses
Jewelry businesses are particularly vulnerable to ORC due to the high-value and portability of their merchandise. The financial losses from a single ORC incident can be devastating, and the impact extends far beyond the immediate loss of goods. These crimes can also threaten the safety of employees and customers, leading to potential legal liabilities and reputational damage.
What the experts want you to know
Security experts at Jewelers Mutual, JSA, the National Retail Federation (NRF) and across the retail sector weigh in on crime trends and what you can do as business owners to protect yourself, staff and store.
The time is now for robust, preventive action
- Fortify your existing security systems: Ensure your alarm and camera systems are fully operational and correctly installed. Regularly test alarms to verify their connection to monitoring services and confirm proper camera recording.
- Update call lists & define roles: Update your emergency contact list and clearly define roles for each member. Swift response times are crucial for minimizing damage during a crisis.
- Respond to all alarms, even on nights and weekends: Immediately contact local authorities for all alarm signals, including communication failures. Do not enter the premises without law enforcement to conduct a thorough inspection of the property and surrounding areas.
- Partner with law enforcement: Foster a strong relationship with local law enforcement and mall security. Inform them of the jewelry industry's vulnerability and request increased surveillance and patrols. Invite them for a tour of your store to familiarize them with the layout and identify potential security risks.
- Build relationships with your neighboring business and local/mall security: This creates a more collaborative environment and strengthens relationships in the event of an incident.
Be vigilant. If you notice suspicious behavior near your location– unusual loitering, out-of-the-ordinary construction work, vehicles with out-of-state or temporary tags, individuals walking around with earpieces inside or outside your store, or individuals carrying cases with antennas, possibly attempting to disrupt communications – report it immediately.
WiFi and cellular jammers are becoming more prevalent.
Here’s what you need to know:
WiFi/cellular jammers are devices that transmit signals on the same frequency as wireless/cellular networks, effectively disrupting the communication between devices and their access points within a 120-foot radius. These devices are being used maliciously to interfere with WiFi/cellular signals, causing loss of connectivity and disabling security systems that rely on wireless/cellular communication.
We recommend the following to help you stay safe:
- Secure your network: Implement robust security protocols, regularly update firmware and software, and use strong, unique passwords for all wireless devices.
- Use alternative communication methods: Have a backup communication plan in place, such as wired connections, to ensure continued operations in case of WiFi or cellular disruptions.
- Work with your alarm provider to add WiFi/cellular jammer detection to your plan: Many providers can set up jammer detection as an event that triggers an alarm notification.
- Train your staff on what to look for: Many criminals use jammers while casing stores to gauge the possibility of disrupting systems. Encourage all employees to be vigilant to all connection outages and report suspicious events immediately.
Prepare for holidays
Holidays year-round bring added risk for jewelry businesses. Stock is increased to meet buying demand, in-store foot traffic is often heightened, and store hours may differ – the perfect combination for criminal opportunists.
The best way to stay safe during any holiday– begin preparation early:
- Ensure all staff, especially seasonal employees, are trained in proper opening/closing and emergency procedures.
- Remind all staff to note and report any suspicious behavior immediately. Our Suspicious Incident Logbook can help.
- If you plan to hire additional security personnel, take action to do so as soon as possible.
- If you experience any loss of power or communication system outages, contact local law enforcement immediately to assess for potential vulnerabilities.
Reducing crime takes all of us
For more about the current crime landscape, preventive actions to take, as well as helpful tools and resources, visit our Crime Awareness page.
Questions about protecting your specific business? Contact our team at assetprotection@jminsure.com. We are here to help.
