Attorney General Alan Wilson co-leads 38-state coalition urging Congress to take action against rise in organized retail crime

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson co-led a bipartisan 38-state and territory coalition in urging Congress to take action to address the rise in organized retail crime across the country.  

“Organized retail crime is not only resulting in higher prices and fewer choices for consumers, but these thugs are physically assaulting employees,” Attorney General Wilson said. “Stores have been forced to close because money is walking out the door and businesses are concerned about the safety and security of their patrons and employees.”

Organized retail crime has contributed to financial losses totaling over $121 billion in the U.S., and 76 percent of retail asset protection managers report their employees have suffered from violence at the hands of an organized retail criminal. Cargo theft remains a primary component of organized retail crime nationwide – disrupting supply chains and acting as an inflationary pressure on the price of everything from baby formula to clothing.  

During the 118th Congress, the House and Senate introduced H.R.895/S.140 – Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2023 and S. 139 – Organized Retail Crime Center Authorization Act of 2023. This legislation would provide the necessary resources at the state and federal levels to bring the organizations and individuals behind this nationwide problem to justice. Now, the coalition is urging the 119th Congress to re-introduce this bill to include increased federal penalties for supply chain thefts to act as a strong deterrent against the organized theft of goods in transit.

Several attorneys general have formed task forces and created prosecution units to combat this growing problem. In their letter, the coalition notes that legislation proposed in the 118th Congress would expand upon and synchronize state and federal efforts with the creation of an Organized Retail Crime Coordination Center at the Department of Homeland Security, facilitating the information sharing necessary to address the complex cross-border nature of organized retail crime. 

Joining Attorney General Wilson in co-leading this letter are the attorneys general of Connecticut, Georgia, and Illinois, along with the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, 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, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia. 

Find a copy of the letter here.