(WNY News Now) – Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn, in collaboration with Cheektowaga Police Chief Brian Gould and Pyramid Management, addressed the rising trend of retail crime, emphasizing the importance of supporting local businesses during the holiday season and warning potential offenders of strict legal consequences.

Buffalo – In a united effort to safeguard local businesses and shopping districts, District Attorney John J. Flynn, Cheektowaga Police Chief Brian Gould, and representatives from Pyramid Management gathered today at the Walden Galleria. The purpose of this assembly was to not only encourage residents to prioritize local shopping centers and small businesses during the upcoming holiday season but also to issue a stern warning to potential shoplifters that retail crimes will be pursued and prosecuted with utmost severity.

Beyond the immediate financial losses incurred by businesses, retail theft poses a substantial threat to the local economy by jeopardizing the sustainability of stores and shopping centers. Recent years have witnessed a surge in organized retail crime and habitual theft across the nation, with incidents growing increasingly brazen and, at times, violent. This escalation has raised safety concerns for businesses, their employees, customers, shopping districts, and law enforcement alike. In the Cheektowaga jurisdiction alone, the police department has responded to 1,268 shoplifting-related calls this year, a figure surpassing the total for the past five years.

The announcement made at the Walden Galleria is part of an ongoing initiative to combat organized retail theft, shoplifting, and other unlawful activities in and around stores throughout Erie County. Notably, two Assistant District Attorneys from the Special Investigations and Prosecutions (SIP) Bureau serve on the Organized Retail Crime Task Force, a collaborative effort between local law enforcement and loss prevention professionals. This task force meets regularly to investigate thefts and other retail crimes within Erie County.

In September, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office actively participated in National Store Walk Month, an innovative initiative introduced by the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA). This initiative seeks to address the pressing issue of retail crime and its broader impact on communities. National Store Walk Month facilitates partnerships between retailers and prosecutors, who walk through stores together to share insights, build mutual understanding, and collaboratively devise strategies to mitigate crime. These face-to-face discussions aim to deepen comprehension of challenges while fostering a unified response to prevent and address retail crimes.