GMA Says New Legislation Will Help Stamp Out Organized Retail Theft
WASHINGTON -- The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) yesterday commended President George Bush and Congress for implementing legislation that the trade group says will help protect consumers and businesses from organized shoplifting gangs.
As a member of the Coalition Against Organized Retail Theft, GMA worked with legislators to provide the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) with new resources to prosecute criminals that use organized retail theft to fund their illegal activities. Specifically, the Department of Justice Reauthorization bill authorizes $5 million to establish and maintain a national database that will track shoplifting patterns, and educate and train federal law enforcement agents to investigate organized retail theft activities.
"Each year, organized retail theft increases retail costs by $30 billion. This is a significant drain on our economy, and the President and Congress have correctly identified this illegal activity as a priority issue," said Steve Arthur, GMA v.p. of government affairs, in a statement.
As a member of the Coalition Against Organized Retail Theft, GMA worked with legislators to provide the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) with new resources to prosecute criminals that use organized retail theft to fund their illegal activities. Specifically, the Department of Justice Reauthorization bill authorizes $5 million to establish and maintain a national database that will track shoplifting patterns, and educate and train federal law enforcement agents to investigate organized retail theft activities.
"Each year, organized retail theft increases retail costs by $30 billion. This is a significant drain on our economy, and the President and Congress have correctly identified this illegal activity as a priority issue," said Steve Arthur, GMA v.p. of government affairs, in a statement.