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Donnelly: Costs of crime must be shifted to criminals
By Ann Donnelly
Published: May 7, 2023, 6:03am
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Our state’s retail sector lost nearly $3 billion in 2021 from organized crime, money that could otherwise have bolstered struggling stores, flowed to employee wages and increased tax receipts. Since then, losses have continued. The ultimate culprits are not primarily the homeless individuals on our streets but more powerful criminal gangs.
This sobering assessment was delivered to business leaders on April 25 at the Greater Vancouver Chamber Employee & Customer Safety Forum. The event delivered realistic, practical content.
Sadly, the outlook was uncertain for actual reductions in crime, while the list of costly action items for businesses was daunting. From the stage at Kiggins Theatre, moderator John McDonagh, Chamber CEO, kept the information flowing briskly from panelists offering deep experience both local and statewide.
Speakers from the National Convenience Store Association (Don Rhoads), the Washington Retail Association (Robert Haase and Mark Johnson), and the Washington Retail Organized Crime Association (Robert Nelson) brought statewide perspectives needed locally.
Organized crime operates regionally, nationally, and even internationally, systematically stealing large volumes of profitable retail goods. In one crime spree, thieves hit every Target store on the Interstate 5 corridor. By offering free drugs, the gangs enlist the addicted homeless as accomplices.
Retail representatives were critical of legislators for a vehicular pursuit bill not addressing stolen vehicles and for leaving the matter of the Blake decision unresolved. On a positive note, panelist Mark Johnson will chair a newly created State Task Force on Retail Crime Loss to deter large-scale criminal activity.
Insurance is fundamental to business. Tony Johnson of Vancouver’s Davidson Insurance urged businesses to proactively reduce the frequency and severity of losses from crime. He advised businesses to self-insure and to increase deductibles. In other words, businesses, not criminals, bear the costs.
CRESA Emergency Manager Scott Johnson took the audience behind the scenes when a crime is reported to 911. Clark County Sheriff Desk Deputy Greg Marek described how he seamlessly fields a county-sourced 911 call online and coordinates response. Sheriff staffing is commonly the biggest challenge, with only 40 to 50 deputies available for the whole county. At some hours, the number shrinks to just a handful.
Use of force and vehicular pursuit restrictions may also handcuff law enforcement in some situations, explained Marek.
Vancouver Police Chief Jeff Mori advocated a humane approach — “heart” as well as “head” — to reduce crime. The bulk of crimes are committed by a few thousand repeat offenders, who won’t change behavior unless society applies a practical change agent.
A reformed jail is essential. To address staffing shortages, the planned local police academy will move recruits to the front lines more quickly. Mori is hopeful the regional training facility can open in temporary quarters in 2024.
Mori acknowledged the work of fellow panelist Jamie Spinelli, homelessness response coordinator for Vancouver, and VPD’s Tyler Chavers in working with unhoused individuals who may threaten retail property or become violent. Training is essential in addressing mental health crises.
My takeaway from the valuable event: Costs of crime must be shifted to criminals. A new law is needed defining larger “aggregated retail theft” with a mandatory sentence. Concurrently, the local police academy must open as Mori proposes, to bring improved enforcement to our streets.
Until the political will to fight crime stiffens in Olympia, the burden will remain on the retail sector to defend their premises and balance sheets.
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