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Retailers urge Westchester task force as legislators hear extent of organized theft
Summary
Retail representatives told the Westchester County Public Safety and Veterans committee that organized retail theft is a multi‑tier network and urged a coordinated task force of retailers, law enforcement and prosecutors to improve investigations and prosecutions.
James Long, chair of the call business committee, opened a discussion with local retailers about how coordinated county action could reduce organized retail theft and help struggling small businesses.
Doug Westing, who identified himself as ‘‘Doug Westing from Metro Orpeth,’’ urged the county to form a retail‑theft task force modeled on New York City’s approach. "If we have everybody at the table, we can set point changers and then help address the crime that's at hand," Westing said, describing a structure that would bring major retailers, district attorneys and law enforcement together to share intelligence and plan joint operations.
Westing and other presenters described a chain involving street‑level takers, middlemen and warehouses that feed online resale platforms. "Shoplifting today is literally organized retail crime, and it's a multibillion-dollar industry," he said, arguing that a standing task force would reduce dropped cases and improve charging decisions.
Committee members said the county lacks authority to change state criminal statutes but can improve local coordination. The committee agreed to pursue follow‑up meetings with county police and the district attorney’s office to explore a countywide working group and potential liaison roles.
The meeting closed with the committee signaling further conversations and outreach to law enforcement and prosecutors to craft an operational plan and next steps.
