WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence Chairman August Pfluger (R-TX) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Seth Magaziner (D-RI) announced a hearing on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at 2:00 PM ET, to evaluate the unprecedented uptick in organized retail crime in the United States with key witnesses from the federal government, such as Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), as well as private industry:

“Soft-on-crime policies have made our communities less safe,” said Chairman Pfluger. “By putting criminals over communities, families, and small business owners, hardworking Americans across the country are being forced to pay the financial and emotional costs of these failed policies. Amid an unprecedented spike in retail crime, reports also suggest many professional shoplifters or boosters are part of a much larger organization of criminals—including transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) that are taking advantage of our open borders. I look forward to hearing more information on the extent of these networks, how TCOs profit from them, and what is needed for all law enforcement partners and private industries to work together and halt this dangerous trend and criminal activity.”

“Organized retail crime endangers small businesses, workers, and consumers. We must address this issue head-on to protect small businesses and keep communities safe in Rhode Island and across the country,” said Ranking Member Magaziner.

DETAILS:

What: A Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence hearing entitled, “From Festive Cheer to Retail Fear: Addressing Organized Retail Crime.”

Date: Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Time: 2:00 PM ET

Location: 310 Cannon House Office Building

WITNESSES:

Panel I

Michael Krol
Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New England; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security

Jason Kane
Special Agent in Charge, Nashville Field Office, U.S. Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security

Jose Perez
Deputy Assistant Director, Criminal Investigative Division, FBI, U.S. Department of Justice

Panel II

David Johnston
Vice President, Asset Protection and Retail Operations, National Retail Federation

Scott Glenn
Vice President, Asset Protection, The Home Depot

Abby Jagoda
Vice President, Public Policy, International Council of Shopping Centers

Summer Stephan
District Attorney, San Diego County, California; Testifying on behalf of the National District Attorneys Association

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