Behind the Surge in Retail Crime

The Big PictureFormer Utah Commissioner of Public Safety Jess Anderson discusses the growing challenges in retail crime and law enforcement's technological gap.By the NumbersShoplifting has surged 94% since 201914% increase from 2024 to 2025 aloneKey ChallengesGovernment agencies lag 3-5 steps behind criminal elements and private sectorLegal restrictions on using advanced technology like facial recognition and AILimited ability to share data between private sector and law enforcementIncreasing violence in retail theft incidentsSolutions ProposedBetter communication between law enforcement agenciesImproved collaboration between private sector and law enforcementUpdates to legislation allowing better use of modern technologyEnvironmental design improvements in retail storesBottom LineSuccess requires aggressive enforcement, better inter-agency communication, and modernized approaches to using private sector technology in law enforcement.Retail's Most Wanted is presented by LVT and the Attorney General Alliance.