Delaware task force launches to address rising retail theft; focus on evidence sharing, DOJ staffing and diversion

At an inaugural meeting in Dover (date not specified), members of the newly formed Delaware Retail Prevention Task Force — co-chaired by Representative Brian Townsend and Representative Cindy Romer — convened retailers, prosecutors, judges and law-enforcement officials to map near-term changes aimed at reducing retail theft and improving prosecution outcomes.

The task force opened with lawmakers and retail representatives describing a steady rise in both repeat and organized retail theft, particularly in New Castle County. Julie (representing food, fuel and pharmacy) said, “the problem is getting worse and not better,” and urged the group to expand evidence-collection and prosecutor capacity. Members emphasized three priorities: 1) an efficient cloud-based system to transfer store surveillance to police and prosecutors, 2) more consistent prosecution capacity at the Department of Justice to turn cases into charges or meaningful diversions, and 3) targeted diversion or treatment options for offenders whose thefts are driven by substance use or mental-health needs.

Why it matters: Retailers say theft has driven some decisions not to expand into parts of the state, reduced employee willingness to work frontline shifts and created…