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Kansas City News Today Kansas City Front Page is a weekly news publication, with daily updates, spotlighting attractions, events, business and hospitality in Kansas City. |
KANSAS CITY NEWS TODAY - Tuesday, December 9, 2008  Retail Survey Shows Crime Increases Tied to Economy KANSAS CITY, MO, (PRNewswire-USNewswire), December 9, 2008 - The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has released the Current Crime Trends Survey, revealing evidence that crimes against retailers are trending upward in correlation with the down economy. The survey examines the observations from 52 of the largest and fastest growing retailers in the US, ranging from grocery, drugstore, and mass merchant to specialty apparel, electronics and appliances, and fabric and craft retail. Focusing on the time period associated with the current economic downturn, the survey seeks to identify corresponding trends in unlawful activity. The report concludes that crimes of opportunity as well as more sophisticated organized retail crime (ORC) are on the rise across all retail segments. Key findings include: 84% report an increase in theft/amateur shoplifting 76% report an increase in financial fraud 80% report increases in organized retail crime 77% of specialty retailers report increases in ORC "The current uptick in unlawful activity is an unfortunate, yet unsurprising consequence of an economy in distress," said Paul Jones, vice president asset protection. Retailers report alarming upward trends in regions not typically prone to such increases. Complex cities and highly urbanized states are often the first to display increases in unlawful activity. However, survey results show that increases have permeated beyond these regions and onto a number of non-traditional and rural areas. Retailers report that they are working diligently to bring these rising trends to a standstill as they work to make improvements in their operations, resource allocation, and capital spending. Additionally, retailers continue to build strong partnerships with law enforcement and work with state and federal legislators to find solutions. According to The Global Retail Theft Barometer, put out by the Centre for Retail Research, U.S. retailers spent $11.799 billion last year on loss prevention efforts. Reported increases in organized retail crime (ORC) highlight a potential long-term issue. ORC involves sophisticated crime rings that steal and stockpile large quantities of merchandise that they then sell often to unwitting buyers. The stolen merchandise is sold through flea markets, swap meets, pawn shops and increasingly through internet auction sites. Unlike simple shoplifting or other crimes of opportunity, ORC growth attributed to a slowed economy is less likely to decline as the economy improves. The criminal enterprises associated with ORC become reliant on the revenue derived from the commission of this crime and thus will likely continue to commit these crimes even as the economy improves. The increase in ORC is particularly troubling as these criminal enterprises often use the proceeds derived from ORC to fund additional crimes. "Organized retail criminals are ramping up their activity. The resulting ability to fund additional crimes should be a concern to everyone," added Jones. Collaboration and continued partnership with law enforcement are identified as key tactics to combating these increases. Also noted are the continued efforts of the Coalition Against Organized Retail Crime to enact federal ORC legislation to combat this growing activity. Jones concluded by stating, "Retailers understand full-well the challenges these difficult times present and are resolute in making careful adjustments in their operations, partnerships and processes to come to proactive solutions to combat these growing crime trends." Transportation Projects Would Create 14,000 Jobs and Return $2.4 Billion to Missouri's Economy KANSAS CITY, MO, (kansascityfrontpage.com), December 9, 2008 - The Missouri Department of Transportation is ready to go with 34 transportation projects that could be awarded within 180 days of passage of an economic stimulus package that contains at least $25 billion for transportation infrastructure investments nationwide. The projects, which would total about $510 million, would create about 14,000 jobs and have a $2.4 billion impact on the state's economy. Given additional funding beyond $510 million, significant portions of four additional highway projects totaling roughly $290 million could be under way in 2009. MoDOT outlined the road, bridge, air, rail, transit, waterway and pedestrian projects it could readily accomplish at a meeting today of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. "We stand ready to quickly deliver 34 transportation improvements that would mean jobs, increased safety and a better quality of life for Missourians," MoDOT Director Pete Rahn said. "These are much-needed projects that will benefit Missouri citizens, and we urge Congress to act positively on an economic stimulus package that includes a minimum of $25 billion for transportation infrastructure projects." Rahn said federal funding for infrastructure projects would have a vital ripple effect. It would create jobs for road builders and designers and demand for related supplies and services, as well as further economic development around the improvements. "The job creation will go beyond just those building the projects," Rahn said. "Suppliers, retailers, restaurants, hotels and other businesses will benefit." MoDOT would be ready to go with about $137 million of work on Interstates 70, 44, 55, 35 and 29. Approximately $60 million would go toward fixing the state's lettered routes in rural Missouri. The rest would be used on a variety of transportation projects throughout the state. "Under our proposed plan, all forms of travel would benefit, not just highways, and projects would be spread throughout the state to ensure all regions reap some of the economic gain," Rahn said. Seventeen of the proposed projects are already included in the state's five-year construction program, but would be sped up, some by up to four years. Projects would then be added to the statewide construction program to replace those that were accelerated. Seventeen are new projects that have been identified as regional priorities and on which environmental work and preliminary design are already under way. Rahn said Congress should not be concerned road and bridge improvements couldn't be put into place fast enough to provide the desired economic relief. "We know we can award $510 million worth of work or more within 180 days of the stimulus bill's passage, with a considerable amount in less time," Rahn said. "Investing in our infrastructure is the best course of action Congress could take. Not only would it provide an immediate economic shot in the arm, but it would yield the long-term benefits of safer highways and enhanced quality of life." Rahn said any stimulus package couldn't come too soon. He noted many states have had to delay projects because of the decline in revenue generated by fuel use and motor vehicle sales. While MoDOT has not yet had to postpone or cancel projects, state revenues are down almost 5 percent for the first four months of the fiscal year - about an $18 million decline. If the trend continues, the state could face a $73 million shortfall by the end of the fiscal year.   The Kansas City Front Page is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan Kansas City area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com All rights reserved world wide © 2007 - 2008 Moore Design Group. |
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