How Maricopa County is Combatting Organized Retail Crime (ORC)

On this episode of Retail’s Most Wanted, we sat down with Rachel Mitchell, the Maricopa County attorney, to discuss how her office is addressing organized retail crime (ORC).

The big picture:

Maricopa County is taking steps to combat organized retail crime (ORC) through stricter enforcement, retailer partnerships, and new legislation.

Why it matters:

These crimes aren't just about shoplifting - they're funding larger criminal enterprises including drug smuggling and human trafficking.

Key strategies:

• Enhanced task force with lower thresholds for prosecution

• Partnerships with Arizona Retailers Association

• New legislation targeting repeat offenders

• Educational forums for retailers on reporting theft

The bottom line:

Maricopa County's proactive approach aims to prevent it from becoming a city where ORC has become a major crisis.