Lawmakers target looters in wake of arrests in Los Angeles-area burn zones-- In response to recent wildfire-related looting, California lawmakers are proposing stricter penalties, including classifying such crimes as felonies. The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department even created a Looter Suppression Team to tackle the issue. While some see the new laws as necessary to deter crime, others worry about the potential for increased mass incarceration. Either way, it’s clear that looting during disasters is a hot topic in the Golden State. [LA Times- subscribe]
ZeroEyes, the creators of the only AI-based gun detection video analytics platform that holds the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation, today announced the release of its annual Gun Violence Report, offering a deep dive into the landscape of gun-related incidents across the United States.
Key Findings
Majority of Incidents Originate in Outdoor Spaces: 3,235 incidents occurred in outdoor locations, highlighting the vulnerability of open areas
Back-to-School Violence: September emerged as the deadliest month, with 728 incidents coinciding with the return to classrooms
Retail and Education Targets: Retail spaces and K-12 schools topped the list of affected areas, with 1,459 and 1,417 incidents, respectively
Elusive Perpetrators: 1,885 suspects managed to evade capture, exposing significant challenges in law enforcement response
Tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are pouring $300 billion into AI, and retail giants like Walmart and Target are ready to ride the wave. Walmart is leading the charge with a whopping $22 billion investment, aiming to boost profits and digital advertising. Meanwhile, the Chinese AI player DeepSeek might shake things up by making AI more accessible to smaller retailers. The retail sector is on the brink of a digital revolution, and those who jump on the AI bandwagon are set to dominate the market.
Supply chain execs are scrambling to keep up with the wild ride of global trade policies and economic shifts. A whopping 60% are not just throwing money at tech but are actually rethinking their entire supply chain game. Demand volatility, trade disruptions, and lack of real-time data are giving them major headaches. The smart ones are turning to AI, automation, and diversifying suppliers to stay ahead. The rest? Well, they might just get left in the dust.
Missouri prosecutors sue Starbucks over DEI practices, claiming they raise prices and slow service-- Missouri's attorney general is suing Starbucks, claiming their diversity-focused hiring practices are illegal and lead to slower service and higher prices. Starbucks denies the allegations, insisting their hiring is fair and inclusive. Critics argue hiring should be merit-based, while Starbucks blames inflation and complex drink orders for any service issues. The lawsuit follows a trend of companies scaling back DEI initiatives amid conservative pushback.
Technology is moving fast—sometimes too fast. Whether it’s the latest AI breakthrough, a bold new gadget, or the impact of emerging tech on retail security, staying ahead of the curve isn’t just interesting—it’s essential.
That’s where Talking Tech with Tom comes in. In each edition, I’ll break down trending tech topics, share insights on personal and professional technology, and highlight what’s making waves in loss prevention and beyond. Expect sharp takes, a bit of fun, and a whole lot of tech talk.
So, whether you're here for the latest on AI, smart devices, or how tech is shaping the world of retail security, let’s dive in—because the future isn’t waiting.
Stay tuned, stay curious, and let’s talk tech.
Check out Talking Tech with Tom every Thursday in the TalkLPnews Retail Rundown
TalkLP Podcast host Amber Bradley gets CEO of Controltek, Tom Meehan in the NYC HOT SEAT at the NRF Big Show! They dive into RFID (the #1 tech retail LP professionals say they can’t live without) and how it went from expensive and underutilized to an industry standard in an LP pro’s arsenal.
They also discuss useful vs. gimmicky AI as well as 2 questions on everyone’s mind, how close are we to solving the Ecosystem formula? And when can we stop talking about it? See Tom’s Meta Glasses in action and the first pinky swear on the podcast. Whether you’re in retail, security, or just love cool tech, this episode’s for you. Let’s talk shop!
Connect with Tom here and sign up to receive the TalkLPnews Retail Rundown here featuring the “Talking Tech with Tom” column every Thursday.
Vandalized Fort Worth restaurant awaits police response, puzzled by text system promising quick action
FORT WORTH — A new text notification system implemented by the Fort Worth Police Department called "Power Engage" is designed to provide citizens with quicker responses to various crime calls.
However, the system has left one local restaurant confused, and still waiting, following a recent vandalism incident. "We are still waiting for someone to get back to us," said The Cookshack owner, Mark Rogers. Abigail Reyes was one of the employees working Monday night at The Cookshack off University Drive in Fort Worth when she said someone threw a rock at the door in the middle of their busy dinner rush and ran off.
Man posing as US Marshall scams Manhattan grocery store
MANHATTAN (KSNT) – The Riley County Police Department (RCPD) reports that a local convenience store was the victim of a theft through deception on Monday.
According to the RCPD, a business in the 2300 block of Tuttle Creek Boulevard was listed as the victim of the theft after an unknown person called the store allegedly posing as a U.S. Marshall. The RCPD said the individual coerced the store clerk into purchasing gift cards and then sending photos of them to the suspect.
The total loss associated with the crime was $1,145. The RCPD asks anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 785-539-7777 or on its website by clicking here.
Eight arrested in connection to Fort Worth smash-and-grab robbery
FORT WORTH, Texas — Eight people were arrested in connection to a smash-and-grab robbery in a Fort Worth grocery store, according to Fort Worth police records.
Fort Worth police responded to reports of a robbery around 4:55 p.m. Feb. 9 inside an El Rancho Supermercado on North Main Street in Fort Worth, police said in a press release.
Four men reportedly entered the business and smashed a glass display, stealing jewelry and leaving the location, the release stated. Police did not confirm the arrests but jail logs show six men and two women were arrested in connection with the robbery.
The suspects range in age from 17 to 51, according to jail records.
Spokane man accused of $22K Home Depot & Lowe’s theft scheme, police say
SPOKANE, Wash. — A Spokane man has been accused of orchestrating a series of retail thefts and fraudulent transactions at multiple Home Depot and Lowe’s locations across Spokane County, police said.
According to court documents Michael Lewis, 40, allegedly exploited a loophole in Home Depot’s online ordering system to steal merchandise valued at around $22,800 between November 2024 and January 2025. Investigators said that Lewis placed online orders for in-store pickup, retrieved the items from secured lockers, and then immediately canceled the orders to obtain refunds while keeping the merchandise.
At the beginning of the 2024 legislative session, a bill was passed in Iowa that established retail theft as a new criminal offense category.
In 2023, there were 203 convictions for burglary and 8,466 convictions for theft in Iowa. By the end of 2024, the city of Cedar Rapids alone reported 1,532 cases of shoplifting. Iowa City’s shoplifting scene is significantly less prominent compared to Cedar Rapids’ reported 374 cases, while North Liberty had 319. Some businesses have begun requiring employees to not make contact with shoplifters but rather make sure they are caught on camera so the theft can be reported to police.
3,500 pairs of high-end sunglasses recovered following multi-state theft ring
MIAMI (WSVN) - Authorities said they have recovered over 3,500 pairs of sunglasses following the arrest of three Miami men connected to a multi-state organized retail theft ring.
Miami Police Chief Manny Morales said Alexander Trujillo Gomez, 48, Xavier Perez, 52, and Lazaro Salazar Hechavarria, 28, are responsible for the theft of high-end designer sunglasses.
“This affects every single consumer that goes out there and is trying to buy these items out there,” he said.
According to authorities, the merchandise, stolen from stores in Tennessee and South Carolina, is valued at around $1.2 million.
The Sr. Director – Global Risk & Asset Protection will serve as a strategic leader, responsible for developing and overseeing enterprise-wide programs that ensure the protection of people, assets, operations, and reputation. Reporting to the VP of IP and Regulatory Compliance, this role will sit on the legal team and will be accountable for building and scaling comprehensive risk management initiatives, crisis response frameworks, and investigative functions across the organization.
ACPD: Police officer, medic assaulted by shoplifting suspects
Two men are facing allegations of assaulting first responders in separate incidents in Virginia Square and Pentagon City last week.
The first incident started around 4:30 p.m. Friday, a block away from the Virginia Square Metro station. A shoplifting suspect led officers on a brief foot chase, fled on a Metro train, exited at East Falls Church and then ran on the tracks before being taken into custody nearby, according to Arlington County police.
Orange and Silver Line train traffic was disrupted during the chase. The suspect later tried to strike a medic, police said. Also in the crime report was an incident in Pentagon City this past Saturday night involving a shoplifting suspect who “ran through a glass door” while fleeing from police.
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