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ORC November Hearing
HOUSE HEARING ON ORC IN NOVEMBER
CONTACT YOUR REPRESENATIVES
ASK THEM TO CO-SPONSOR ORC BILLS
The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security is gearing up to conduct an oversight hearing Thursday, November 5th on issues relating to federal law enforcement efforts to combat Organized Retail Crime (ORC).
You are welcome and encouraged to edit the letter to include personal touches and stories and to thank those who have already signed on.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Organized Retail Crime Act of 2009
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I am asking for your support and co-sponsorship of two very important initiatives. They are the "E-Fencing Enforcement Act of 2009" (H.R. 1166) sponsored by Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA) focused on the sale of stolen merchandise on internet auction sites; and the "Organized Retail Crime Act of 2009" (H.R. 1173) introduced by Representatives Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) and Jim Jordan (R-OH) which makes ORC a federal felony and addresses both on-line and off-line operations including flea markets, pawn shops and shady store front operations. In brief, these bills seek to address the growing problem of Organized Retail Crime from a federal perspective.
Organized Retail Crime or ORC adversely affects 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 and then reselling their ill-gotten goods in pawn shops, flea markets, swap meets and on 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 every 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. 1166 and H.R. 1173. These bills will go a long way toward combating this serious problem from a federal perspective, and in particular the sale of stolen products on internet auction sites.
Sincerely,
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