Is Loss Prevention Getting Even More Dangerous?

Yesterday, Loss Prevention (LP) expert and guest blogger Jeff Stein contributed an important post. If you work in retail and you missed it, please take the time to read Jeff’s post on The Risky Business of Loss Prevention. Jeff’s pointed out the fact that:

“Loss Prevention is dangerous work. We are the first line of defense. We make the initial stop, detention and apprehension of criminals—many with long, long arrest records.”

And unfortunately, violence in the workplace is an all too every day occurrence for the men and women in LP. If you’ve worked in LP for any length of time you know first hand how quickly a routine apprehension can turn ugly. Everyone has a story about being knocked to the ground, attacks with guns and knives — and in Jeff’s case he was run over by a getaway car.

Here’s John Gantenbein, vice president and director of loss prevention for Macy’s West:

“Generally, loss prevention staff are trained to watch people leaving the building with something. But with the advent of 9/11, we now have the responsibility of monitoring people and what they bring into a building. [...] And with workplace violence and domestic abuse, we also have to be aware of weapons being brought into a building.”

Note that his staff handles all this responsibility and yet they don’t carry guns, nor are they sworn deputies.

Police are warning that Organized Retail Crime (ORCs) is growing in numbers, strength and sophistication. And The National Retail Federation’s recent ORC survey cautions that

“more than three-fourths of retailers (79%) said their company has been a victim of organized retail crime within the past year. The survey also found that 71 percent of retailers say they have noticed an increase in organized retail theft activity in the past 12 months, up dramatically from 48 percent in 2006.”

Is it safe to assume that assaults on LP professionals are also on the rise? And is there anyone tracking this data? We’d love to hear from Loss Prevention Magazine, the National Retail Federation or the Retail Industry Leaders Association if they have any data to share that might illustrate how serious this problem is.

We’d also like to emphasize Jeff’s call to action:

“…large retail groups need to work together and set up trust funds for the families of future Loss Prevention professionals who sadly lose their lives while trying to protect the safety, security and profits of so many.”

Please leave us a comment below.