V.I. Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea has joined a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general from 38 states and territories urging Congress to take action against the rise of organized retail crime, which has caused more than $121 billion in losses nationwide and poses a growing threat to businesses and communities, including the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“In light of the alarming rise in organized retail crime across our nation, I am proud to join a bipartisan coalition of 38 states and territories in urging Congress to take decisive action,” Rhea said. “This growing issue not only threatens the livelihoods of retailers but also impacts local communities and economies, including the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is imperative that we work together to implement effective measures that protect businesses and ensure the safety of consumers. Together, we can combat this challenge and restore integrity to our retail environment.”
The coalition calls on the 119th Congress to reintroduce legislation increasing federal penalties for supply chain thefts, a key driver of organized retail crime. Cargo theft continues to disrupt supply chains and increase prices on essential goods such as baby formula and clothing. The previously introduced Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2023 (H.R. 895/S.140) and the Organized Retail Crime Center Authorization Act of 2023 (S. 139) would provide resources for state and federal enforcement efforts to target organized crime groups behind large-scale retail theft, according to the press release.
Several attorneys general have already formed task forces and prosecution units to address the problem. The proposed legislation would enhance coordination between state and federal agencies by establishing an Organized Retail Crime Coordination Center at the Department of Homeland Security. This center would facilitate intelligence sharing to combat the increasingly complex and cross-border nature of these crimes, the press release stated.
The letter to Congress was co-led by the attorneys general of Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, and South Carolina. Other participating attorneys general represent Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia, the release stated.
To read the full letter, click here.
