Louisville, Kentucky, December 16, 2025
In Louisville, the Kentucky Retail Federation collaborates with state and local leaders to combat organized retail crime. This partnership aims to establish an Organized Retail Crime Unit to protect retailers and consumers from widespread theft and fraud, supported by significant funding requests and retailer backing.
Louisville, Kentucky: State Leaders Collaborate to Combat Organized Retail Crime
Louisville, Kentucky – The Kentucky Retail Federation (KRF) has partnered with state and local leaders to address the growing issue of organized retail crime in the state. This collaboration aims to protect retailers, consumers, and communities from large-scale theft and fraud activities.
Organized Retail Crime Threatens Kentucky
Organized retail crime involves sophisticated networks engaging in large-scale theft and fraud, including shoplifting for resale, cargo theft, gift card tampering, barcode fraud, return fraud, and identity theft. These activities not only harm retailers but also defraud consumers and disrupt communities.
State Leaders’ Initiative
On December 12, 2025, KRF joined Attorney General Russell Coleman, Representative Jared Bauman, and Mayor Craig Greenberg at the Walmart Supercenter in Middletown to address this issue. Attorney General Coleman announced plans to request over $2 million from the General Assembly during the upcoming legislative session to establish an Organized Retail Crime Unit. This unit would consist of four detectives, two criminal analysts, and a prosecutor dedicated to tackling organized retail crime.
Support from Retailers and Law Enforcement
Retailers such as Kohl’s, Kroger, Lowe’s, Meijer, and Plato’s Closet have expressed support for the initiative. They emphasize the importance of collaboration between the private sector and law enforcement to effectively combat organized retail crime. Similar task forces in states like Arizona, California, Illinois, Michigan, and Pennsylvania have yielded successful results, serving as models for Kentucky’s approach.
Background on Organized Retail Crime
Organized retail crime is defined by the FBI as an organized effort by two or more individuals to convert illegally obtained merchandise or cash into financial gain through theft or fraud. This often involves the theft of multiple quantities of similar products or thefts from multiple stores, jurisdictions, or states. Such crimes are linked to major criminal activities, including organized crime, health care fraud, money laundering, and potentially even terrorism.
The National Retail Federation (NRF) reports that organized retail crime continues to negatively impact the economy, businesses, and communities across the country. In response, the NRF has designated October 24, 2024, as Fight Retail Crime Day, an annual event mobilizing the retail business community to advocate for effective solutions in combating this problem.
By establishing a dedicated task force and fostering collaboration between retailers and law enforcement, Kentucky aims to strengthen its efforts against organized retail crime, ensuring a safer environment for both businesses and consumers.
Key Features of the Initiative
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Organized Retail Crime Unit | A proposed unit consisting of four detectives, two criminal analysts, and a prosecutor dedicated to tackling organized retail crime in Kentucky. |
| Collaboration with Retailers | Partnerships with retailers such as Kohl’s, Kroger, Lowe’s, Meijer, and Plato’s Closet to address organized retail crime. |
| Legislative Support | Plans to request over $2 million from the General Assembly to fund the Organized Retail Crime Unit. |
| Model States | Reference to successful task forces in Arizona, California, Illinois, Michigan, and Pennsylvania as models for Kentucky’s approach. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is organized retail crime?
Organized retail crime involves sophisticated networks engaging in large-scale theft and fraud, including shoplifting for resale, cargo theft, gift card tampering, barcode fraud, return fraud, and identity theft. These activities harm retailers, defraud consumers, and disrupt communities.
What is the Kentucky Retail Federation’s role in combating organized retail crime?
The Kentucky Retail Federation (KRF) has partnered with state and local leaders to address organized retail crime in Kentucky. They aim to protect retailers, consumers, and communities from large-scale theft and fraud activities.
What is the proposed Organized Retail Crime Unit?
Attorney General Russell Coleman plans to request over $2 million from the General Assembly to establish an Organized Retail Crime Unit. This unit would consist of four detectives, two criminal analysts, and a prosecutor dedicated to tackling organized retail crime in Kentucky.
Which retailers support this initiative?
Retailers such as Kohl’s, Kroger, Lowe’s, Meijer, and Plato’s Closet have expressed support for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the private sector and law enforcement to effectively combat organized retail crime.
Have similar initiatives been successful elsewhere?
Yes, similar task forces in states like Arizona, California, Illinois, Michigan, and Pennsylvania have yielded successful results, serving as models for Kentucky’s approach to combating organized retail crime.
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