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H.R. 6491 - The Organized Retail Crime Bill of 2008
Legislation (H. R. 6491) has been introduced by Representatives Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) and Jim Jordan (R-OH) to address Organized Retail Crime, a growing nationwide problem that victimizes consumers and retailers alike. The new legislation is entitled “The Organized Retail Crime Act of 2008”. We are strongly urging FMI member companies to contact their Congressional Delegations and ask them to co-sponsor H. R. 6491. A sample letter asking for co-sponsorship of H. R. 6491 follows.
You are welcome and encouraged to personalize this letter to your Representative.
Fill out the column on the right side of the page and click on send.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Please Co-Sponsor this important legislation
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I am asking for your support and co-sponsorship of the "Organized Retail Crime Act of 2008" introduced by Representatives Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) and Jim Jordan (R-OH). In brief, this legislation (H. R. 6491) clarifies what constitutes Organized Retail Crime and allows such crimes to be prosecuted as a federal felony.
Organized Retail Crime, or ORC, is a growing problem that victimizes consumers and retailers alike. Nationwide, retail stores from supermarkets and pharmacies to department stores are being victimized by professional crime rings who are stealing large quantities of merchandise for resale through pawn shops, flea markets, swap meets, shady store-front operations and over internet auction sites.
These ORC gangs are pilfering infant formula, razor blades, analgesics, teeth whitening strips, diabetic supplies, batteries and gifts cards among other things. According to federal law enforcement officials, ORC translates into as much as $30 billion in retail store losses each year. So rampant is the problem that many grocery stores are placing infant formula and other products behind a service counter or in locked cases to deter theft.
The collateral effect of ORC is that consumers are paying higher prices as companies such as mine attempt to recoup our losses. States suffer as well losing some $1.6 billion a year in uncollected state sales tax revenue due to ORC activity. Clearly, making ORC a federal felony is needed because antiquated state laws treat ORC as shoplifting which is a misdemeanor with little threat of prosecution or jail time.
On behalf of our customers and employees who are at risk because of the brazen and violent nature of ORC rings, I urge you to co-sponsor H. R. 6491. The Ellsworth-Jordan bill will allow federal law enforcement to go after these sophistical crime rings in a more efficient manner than what is available under present law.
Sincerely,
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