Last week marked an important step toward addressing the growing impact of retail theft on the safety and well-being of our communities. Representatives from Northwest Grocers, the Food Industry Association, Washington Retail, and WAORCA, in collaboration with prosecutors from Pierce and King Counties and multiple law enforcement agencies, met with Rep. Mari Leavitt to discuss the current state of retail theft , not only in King and Pierce Counties, but across the entire state.
Retail theft affects every Washingtonian, creating countless victims and undermining public safety. Our current inability to consistently hold offenders accountable has fostered a revolving door of criminal activity. To reverse this trend, both prosecutors and law enforcement agencies need additional funding and resources to effectively investigate, prosecute, and deter these crimes. Targeting the most prolific offenders and organized retail theft networks is key to restoring accountability and reducing repeat offenses.
Our communities deserve effective, lasting solutions, and this collaboration is an important step toward ensuring accountability, strengthening enforcement, and improving safety for all Washingtonians.
washingtonretail.org/rep-leavitt-brings-statewide-focus-to-public-safety-retail-theft-orc/