Nevada's Lee is one of those asking the Department of Homeland Security for help in combating organized retail crime

RENO, Nevada (KOLO) – Nevada Congresswoman Susie Lee is among those calling for stronger crackdowns on organized retail crime.

She, David Joyce (Ohio), Laurel Lee (Florida), her colleague from Nevada Congress, Dina Titus, and about 80 other representatives jointly called on the Department of Homeland Security to help combat organized retail crime.

In their letter, they called on DHS to immediately provide Congress with updated information on its efforts to combat this type of crime, particularly its progress in creating an Organized Retail Crime Coordination Center.

“The risk of in-store theft lies not only in the violence expressed in shoplifting, particularly against retail employees, but also in the health risks posed by the consumption of stolen goods, such as baby formula or pharmaceuticals, which may be improperly stored or tampered with before the final purchase by the consumer,” the lawmakers wrote. “ORC also puts Main Street businesses, the economy and public safety at risk. A report from the Retail Industry Leader's Association stated that ORC caused nearly $70 billion in financial losses to American retailers in 2019 due to stolen merchandise. That number has continued to rise today.”

According to Lee, organized retail crime caused an estimated $85 million in lost tax revenue in 2021.

All rights reserved.