PHOENIX, Ariz. — Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has joined a bipartisan coalition of 38 states and territories in urging Congress to take decisive action against the growing threat of organized retail crime.
“Organized retail crime isn’t just about stolen merchandise—it’s about criminal networks exploiting communities, threatening workers, and driving up costs for families,” Mayes stated. “Congress must act now to provide stronger tools to disrupt these operations, hold offenders accountable, and protect businesses and consumers alike.”
The Growing Impact of Organized Retail Crime
Organized retail crime has become a significant economic burden, contributing to over $121 billion in financial losses across the United States. Alarmingly, 76% of retail asset protection managers report that employees have faced violence from organized retail criminals.
Cargo theft remains a major driver of these crimes, disrupting supply chains and adding inflationary pressure to everyday consumer goods, from baby formula to clothing.
Legislative Efforts to Combat Retail Crime
During the 118th Congress, lawmakers introduced key legislation aimed at curbing organized retail crime:
- H.R.895/S.140 — Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2023
- S.139 — Organized Retail Crime Center Authorization Act of 2023
These bills proposed bolstering resources at both the state and federal levels to prosecute criminal networks and strengthen penalties for supply chain thefts. The coalition is now urging the 119th Congress to reintroduce and expand this legislation, particularly calling for increased federal penalties to deter the theft of goods in transit.
A Coordinated National Effort
Many state attorneys general have already formed specialized task forces and prosecution units to address the growing problem. The coalition highlights that the proposed legislation would further align state and federal efforts by establishing an Organized Retail Crime Coordination Center within the Department of Homeland Security. This center would facilitate vital information sharing to tackle the cross-border nature of these crimes.
Broad Bipartisan Support
The letter to Congress was co-led by the attorneys general from Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, and South Carolina. Attorney General Mayes joined them along with attorneys general from:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- Washington
- West Virginia
The coalition hopes that swift legislative action will help dismantle organized criminal networks, protect retail workers, and shield consumers from rising costs.
