Emerging Threats and Effective Solutions: A Retail Security Revolution

By: Mike Lamb

Description: LP veteran Mike Lamb shares his unexpected journey of discovery within 3Si, reflecting on his nearly five decades in the security industry working against security threats. Despite his extensive experience, he reveals how he was genuinely surprised by the unmatched reliability of 3SI’s technology and the strength of their relationships with law enforcement. Highlighting the industry’s best-kept secret, he delves into how 3Si achieves 99.99% accuracy in identifying felony events, leading to a proven rate of arrest to conviction.

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Security threats are evolving at a staggering pace. Retailers are growing weary in the face of new, highly effective organized retail crime (ORC) rings, fraud and theft perpetrated through new technologies, and a surge in casual shoplifting. But most disturbing is the growth in violent incidents in retail environments in the post-COVID era.

In the 2023 National Retail Security Survey, 81% of retailers reported that ORC offenders have grown more violent and 35% reported that shoplifting incidents were increasingly violent. This trend has shifted LP/AP efforts from reducing loss of merchandise to protecting people from harm and loss of life. This, in turn, is changing the way retailers handle security, the priorities when investing in technologies, and the goals of security strategies.

A respected provider of security solutions for more than half a century, 3Si is well positioned to partner with retailers in their efforts to combat both traditional and emerging security threats. The “Power of 3” is real—the combination of cutting-edge technology, trusted law enforcement partners, and a passionate team dedicated to catching criminals and enhancing safety.

3Si’s commitment to a comprehensive approach to security is evident in their recent expansion of their portfolio of solutions designed to address every stage of the crime cycle. 3Si is prepared to present a united front against crimes of all types in retail environments.

Emphasis on prevention

While 3Si solutions help address every stage in the crime cycle, there is a particular focus on prevention. That’s because the best crime is the one that never occurs. From cameras to public view monitors (PVMs) and VMS software, 3Si’s solutions work to deter criminals by creating a hard target. Video cameras paired with Surveill scalable VMS allow retailers to detect problems, access critical video and inform LP/AP professionals of problems before they occur. An incident avoided is one that never results in loss of life, property or damages. For this reason, investments in prevention are critically important.

Remove people from harm’s way

When theft does occur, 3Si’s tracking devices help move the point of confrontation from the store to an offsite location. Retailers grapple with the decision to simply let criminals walk away with merchandise. A growing number of retailers are adopting “no chase” policies in an effort to protect employees from potential violent outbursts. However, there is still a desperate need to pursue thieves, recover assets and detain criminals to avoid repeat attacks.

With 3Si’s covert tracking devices, law enforcement gains real-time location data, enabling quick response and reducing the risk of harm during asset recovery operations. These devices pinpoint the exact location where stolen merchandise lands, often revealing fencing operations and leading law enforcement directly to the criminals.

Pursue recovery and justice

Over just the last 12 months, 3Si has been instrumental in recovering nearly $3milliion in stolen property and making 1,072 arrests. This is only possible through a close partnership with law enforcement. Did you know that more than 10,000 law enforcement agencies are connected with 3SI?

Too many retailers try to go it alone when it comes to addressing security breaches. And yet, to effectively remove criminals from the streets and ensure criminal prosecution, it’s critical to partner with law enforcement. By providing law enforcement with the data they need – from video footage to the location of stolen goods and other insightful details – 3Si positions law enforcement for expedient success. That’s one of the reasons why 3SI has become a known name in the world of law enforcement.

As security threats continue to evolve, so will LP/AP teams. While their efforts are foremost about protecting people, it’s also critical to create a safe shopping environment. If customers feel uncomfortable, they will simply shop elsewhere or online. 3Si’s ability to deliver highly accurate, actionable intelligence fosters an environment where both employees and customers feel safe and protected. As you look toward 2025, investigate the potential to advance the effectiveness of your efforts to halt the crime cycle with the adoption of technologies designed to deter, detect and detain.