Organized Retail Theft: A Guide for Retailers

Fremont Police’s key objectives to receiving grant funding for Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Prevention is to reduce ORT-related crime, strengthen partnerships, and increase information sharing.  Our vision of a Real Time Information Center (RTIC) to leverage technology in the hands of specialized analysts to provide an informed real-time response to first responders will help us accomplish these objectives. 

Protecting Your Business Against Organized Retail Theft

• Increase Visibility: Ensure your store is well-lit and has clear sightlines throughout. Consider security personnel during peak hours.
• Install Cameras: Install security cameras in strategic locations, both inside and outside.
• Employee Training: Train your staff to be vigilant and recognize suspicious behavior. Encourage them to report any concerns promptly.  Discourage them from confronting the suspicious behavior.
• Secure Merchandise: Use anti-theft tags, lock up high-value items, and keep a close eye on easily concealable goods. Please do not leave cash in the register overnight.
• Partner with Law Enforcement: Report any incidents of theft promptly.
• Community Awareness: Share information about organized retail theft with neighboring businesses and stay informed about the latest trends.

Staying Safe During an Incident

• Prioritize your safety: Do not attempt to stop or apprehend suspects.
• Observe and remember: Try to note details about the suspects' appearance, clothing, and any distinguishing marks.
• Contact law enforcement immediately: Dial 911!
• Preserve the scene: If possible, prevent anyone from entering the area where the theft occurred until police arrive.

Identifying Offenders

• Physical Descriptions: Note height, weight, build, hair color and style, facial hair, eye color, complexion, and any tattoos or scars.
• Clothing: Describe what the suspects were wearing, including colors, styles, brands, and any logos.
• Behavior: Were they working together? Did they seem nervous or agitated? Did they say anything to each other or to you?
• Other details: Did they have any bags, backpacks, or tools with them? Were they wearing gloves or masks?
• Vehicles:  What was the color, make, model?  Which direction did they flee?

Being a Good Witness

• Provide a detailed statement to law enforcement: Include as much information as possible about the suspects and the incident.
• Cooperate with investigators: Be willing to answer questions and provide additional information if requested.
• Be prepared to testify in court: If the case goes to trial, your testimony could be crucial in convicting the offenders.

Creating an Online Report

• File a police report online.
•  Follow the instructions: Provide all requested information, including your contact information, a description of the incident, and details about the suspects and any vehicles involved.
• Attach any relevant evidence: This could include photos or videos of the suspects or their vehicle.

 Suspect Descriptors

• Age: Estimate the suspects' ages.
• Gender: Note the suspects' genders.
• Race/Ethnicity: Be as specific as possible when describing the suspects' racial or ethnic backgrounds.
• Any other distinguishing features: Note any unique characteristics, such as accents, speech patterns, or mannerisms.

Vehicle Information

• Make, model, year, and color: Get as much information as possible about the vehicle.
• License plate number and state: Note the full license plate number and the state of registration.
• Any unique features: Describe any dents, scratches, bumper stickers, or other identifying marks.
• Direction of travel: Note the direction the vehicle was heading when it left the scene.

Remember: Your information is crucial in helping law enforcement apprehend and prosecute organized retail theft offenders.

Stay safe, stay vigilant, and work together to protect our community.

Prevent Commercial Burglaries 

Fremont Police Department encourages business owners to take the following precautions to help secure your business and make it less of a target. Burglaries are typically crimes of opportunity. It is important to protect your business to the best of your ability and minimize these opportunities.

Precautions to take during business hours:

• Greet customers as they enter and exit the business.
• Keep windows clear of displays, posters, or other items.
• Keep small amounts of cash in registers at ALL times.

During non-operational hours:

• Lock all possible entrances to the building, including windows.
• Remove all high value items from the front of the store and/or display windows.
• Leave lights turned on both inside and outside of the business; this can make an intruder more visible from the street or parking lot.
• Automatic motion sensor lights can also be utilized to help draw attention to possible intruders
• Leave registers EMPTY and OPEN. If an intruder were to make entry, this would help prevent unnecessary damage to the register.
• Get to know your neighboring businesses and lookout for one another.
• Utilize security systems such as alarms and video surveillance.
• Register your video surveillance cameras with the Fremont Police Department here.

Exterior Precautions:

• Lighting creates an atmosphere of exposure. Criminals are less likely to commit crime in well-lit areas.
• Keep bushes and shrubs trimmed and low to the ground to maintain clear visibility around the property and to prevent intruders from using them as cover.
• Secure all trailers with locks and/or block them in to help prevent them from being stolen. When trailers are not secured, they can easily be towed away.

Interior Precautions:

• Safes: Do not leave large amounts of money at your business. If you have a safe, it should be at least 500 lbs. and/or be bolted to the floor. For additional protection, it should also be fire-resistant.
• Property Identification: Label all valuable business items with your company name and address. Be sure to document all associated serial numbers. This will help identify your items if they are stolen. Keep a complete, up-to-date inventory log and save a copy in a separate location away from the business site.

If a burglary has occurred at your business, employees should:

• Call police immediately and wait for their response.
• Do not enter the business until it has been cleared and deemed safe by police. Intruders may still be inside.
• In order to preserve the scene, it is best to keep staff and customers out of the area until officers are able to respond and evaluate for evidence.
• Once safe, inventory loss, and report it to officers as soon as possible.

Tips to Help Safeguard Your Business 

• Download our business tips flyer here.