Overview
Organized Retail Crime - Overview
What is Organized Retail Crime (ORC)? ORC involves the concerted efforts of criminal groups to illegally obtain retail merchandise, cash, confidential data, and/or consumer information for financial gain. Unlike individual shoplifting, ORC is a largescale operation often tied to broader criminal enterprises, including human and drug trafficking.
The Effects of ORC in Virginia: ORC is a significant and growing concern in Virginia, mirroring coast-to-coast trends. The National Retail Federation indicates that ORC costs retailers an average of $700,000 per $1 billion in sales, with the total annual loss in the United States reaching approximately $30 billion. In Virginia alone, the value of merchandise stolen due to ORC is estimated to be around $1.3 billion annually in reported loss, translating to substantial economic impacts, including over $80 million in lost tax revenue for the Commonwealth.
How Virginia is Combating ORC: Virginia has introduced a new code section, § 18.2-103.1, under the Code of Virginia, which comprehensively addresses organized retail theft. This legislation is a crucial tool in combating and encompassing various elements of ORC, from defining retail property and retail property fences to stipulating severe penalties for those engaged in these criminal activities. One of the most versatile and significant features of § 18.2-103.1 is its provision for selecting the jurisdiction of venue. The section allows for the aggregation of larceny incidents across multiple counties or cities into a single charge, simplifying the legal process and ensuring a more efficient prosecution. Additionally, the venue for the trial can be in the county or city where any act was performed in furtherance of the offense or where the accused resided at the time of the offense, providing strategic flexibility.
How Attorney General Jason Miyares is Addressing ORC: Jason Miyares and the Office of the Attorney General have established a dedicated Organized Retail Crime Unit, which has quickly become a central resource for jurisdictions seeking guidance and assistance with investigations, prosecutions, and the deployment of critical resources where they are needed most. By functioning in this clearinghouse capacity and maintaining real-time information exchange through platforms like the Virginia Organized Retail Theft Exchange (VORTEX), the unit enhances collaboration between local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and retail loss prevention teams.
The dedicated resources and enhanced collaboration facilitated by § 18.2-103.1 are rapidly demonstrating to be crucial steps toward mitigating the economic and social impacts of ORC, making Virginia a safer place for both businesses and consumers.
To report suspected Organized Retail Theft please contact:
VORTEX
Organized Retail Crime - VORTEX
VORTEX is a Virginia Office of Attorney General-supported, web-enabled platform used to combat Organized Retail Crime (“ORC”).
How does VORTEX work?
VORTEX permits law enforcement, prosecutors, and Virginia retailers to share and access real-time information to facilitate the investigation and prosecution of organized retail crime. VORTEX will permit Virginia law enforcement and retailers to work with federal partners to combat increasingly sophisticated multi-state ORC activity. [Other states using the same platform as VORTEX have experienced a 30 percent reduction in ORC.]
Who participates in VORTEX?
VORTEX unites law enforcement, prosecutors, and retailers to combat ORC. Participation is FREE.
Key Features of VORTEX:
- Interactive Database: VORTEX is a comprehensive, interactive database that enables the sharing of critical information on retail crimes across Virginia. This includes data on incidents, suspects, methodologies, and more, facilitating a proactive approach to crime prevention. VORTEX is a CJIS Compliant – U.S. based secure cloud platform that protects data, integrating encryption, segmentation, authentication, privacy controls, firewalls and intrusion detection.
- Real-Time Updates and National Video Access: Users benefit from real-time updates on case developments and have access to a national video monitoring system (Motorola). This ensures immediate awareness and suspect tracking nationwide.
- Communication and Collaboration Tools: The platform features dedicated discussion and update channels for each case, promoting communication among involved parties, which increases collaborative efforts and enables more effective strategies.
- Enhanced Operational Efficiency: By centralizing information and facilitating real-time communication, VORTEX significantly improves the efficiency of crime prevention and investigation processes. VORTEX combines profile-based IDs for incidents, suspects, and vehicles to help users securely collect, maintain, filter, link, analyze, and distribute actionable information.
- Scalable and Adaptive: Designed to evolve in response to the changing dynamics of retail crime.
- Security – Access to VORTEX will be approved by OAG staff, a select group of law enforcement, and retail executives.
Access for users will be gained by applying with their official email address. Applicant must be in retail loss prevention, asset protection, banking, mall/property security or must be employed by a Law Enforcement agency.
Retailer Resources
Organized Retail Crime - Retailer Resources
Training Resources
Organized Retail Crime - Training Resources
To request a training in your jurisdiction or more information on a scheduled training, please contact
Upcoming trainings:
| Training Dates | Jurisdiction | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| October 10,2024 | Chesterfield, VA | Virginia State Police Academy Headquarters |