In the heart of the nation’s capital and other major cities, a growing crisis is gripping communities and retailers alike. What once seemed like isolated incidents of shoplifting have become a full-blown epidemic of organized retail crime, leaving citizens and businesses reeling from its ramifications.
Surveillance footage and viral videos expose brazen shoplifters and smash-and-grab mobs, capturing the attention of concerned citizens and law enforcement agencies alike. The scourge of theft, often accompanied by violence, has not only dented the profits of retailers but also instilled fear among consumers, leading many to avoid shopping altogether.
According to David Johnson of the National Retail Federation, the scale and audacity of these crimes have reached unprecedented levels, prompting CEOs, executives, and community leaders to sound the alarm on the dangers plaguing the retail industry.
“Never before have we seen the number of CEOs, executives, and community leaders reach out and highlight the dangers taking place in our retail industry,” he said.
***Please sign up for CBN Newsletters and download the CBN News app to ensure you keep receiving the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.***
However, the threat extends beyond traditional brick-and-mortar stores. A new phenomenon has emerged wherein organized criminal gangs, with ties to drug trafficking, steal merchandise only
The remainder of this article is available in its entirety at CBN