MCAO Newsletter

Battling Organized Retail Crime in Maricopa County

MCAO’s Organized Retail Crime (ORC) Taskforce has received over 300 submittals from law enforcement so far this year, and it’s not slowing down. Over the last few years, ORC has become a safety threat not just to businesses and the communities they serve, but to their employees and customers.

One Step Ahead: Luckily, County Attorney Rachel Mitchell has been at the forefront of this crime trend since last summer. This fall, those efforts continued as she announced the launch of the ‘Safe Shopping’ campaign aimed at raising awareness and encouraging businesses to report ORC when they see it.

“I want you to know, that as your Maricopa County Attorney, we will not tolerate that kind of criminal coming into our community and targeting our businesses, our livelihoods, and the ability for people to get products and services within their communities.”

As we head into the busiest shopping season of the year, MCAO wants everyone to shop safely. Consider these tips from MCAO’s Organized Retail Crime (ORC) taskforce:

Secure Personal Items: If you carry a handbag, keep it closed and close to you. If you leave gifts and shopping bags in your car, make sure they are out of sight and that your vehicle is locked up tight.

Be Patient: If you ask a store employee why certain items are locked, you will hear story after story about the thefts they’ve experienced. It might take an extra minute to get an item from a locked display, so please be patient with employees, they’ll appreciate it!

Always Prioritize Your Safety: If you see ORC happening, do not engage. Instead, approach store employees or security personnel and inform them of the situation. If you feel unsafe or threatened, move behind a barrier and maintain a safe distance.

Interested in learning more about ORC? Visit our website to stay informed on recent prosecutions, news and updates from the office.

Save The Date: Spring Fentanyl Forums

Fentanyl Doesn’t Discriminate: Fentanyl can affect anybody, and while one pill can kill, one conversation can save a life. We hope you can join us!

ICYMI: We recently hosted a fentanyl forum in Avondale where over 130 parents, teens, teachers, and community leaders joined us to learn about the fentanyl crisis, and where we distributed over 150 Narcan kits!

As the year draws to a close, we want to extend our deepest appreciation for your unwavering support of our office, our exceptional team, and the vital work we undertake. To us, your continued readership and commitment to staying informed about our office and work is invaluable.

Because of you we are able to raise awareness of victims’ rights, share vital information about crime trends that affect families, connect the community to resources and services, and much more. Thank you for reading and hopefully sharing a bit of what you’ve learned with those around you.

From everyone at MCAO, we wish you all a safe and wonderful holiday season!

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