NJFC Honors Industry Leaders and Law Enforcement Partners
for Efforts to Reduce Retail Theft
Focusing on the challenges of loss prevention and security in the food and retail industries, the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) last week joined the New Jersey Retail Merchants Association (NJRMA) in hosting the widely-attended Northeast Regional Loss Prevention Conference and Exhibition at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township.
You can view photos from the event here!
The event featured keynote speakers from the retail industry and law enforcement, including Assistant United States Attorney Zach Intrater, Deputy Chief of the Economics Crimes Section of the Criminal Division. A key focus of this year’s conference was the importance of partnerships between the retail industry and law enforcement professionals to help thwart crime and reduce risk.
“New Jersey’s retail and food industry is fortunate to have the support of dedicated law enforcement professionals at the local, state, and federal level assisting us in our efforts to reduce loss and prevent crime,” said Linda Doherty, NJFC President. “This year’s conference hit on some very important topics for our industry, ranging from the threat of terrorism to organized retail theft, and how we can work with law enforcement to reduce risk, increase safety, and prevent crime.”
Featured topics of the conference included a session on evolving threats in retail security by James D’Arcy, Vice President of Cambridge Security. D’Arcy spoke about ways in which retail establishments can protect themselves from becoming “soft targets” of terrorist attacks. Additionally, Robert Anzilotti, Chief of Detectives at the Bergen County Prosecutors Office, presented an Organized Retail Crime case study on “Operation Jersey Boyz,” a high-profile organized crime ring that was brought to justice through the cooperation of retail executives with law enforcement officers.
Other sessions included “The Impact of the Heroin Crisis on Organized Retail Theft” presented by Chief Chris Leusner, Middletown PD and Vice President of NJ Chiefs of Police Association and “Working with Local Law Enforcement on Retail Fraud Cases” presented by Lt. Zsakhiem James, 2nd District Commander, Camden County Police Department.
NJFC Honors Industry Loss Prevention Leader and Law Enforcement Professionals
Additionally, the annual conference honored food industry executives and law enforcement professionals for their achievements in the field of loss prevention. Ed Rohena of Stop & Shop Supermarkets received the 2016 Loss Prevention Professional Award, and three law enforcement officers received the 2016 Retail Law Enforcement Achievement Award: Kate Ingram from the New Jersey State Police; Detective Mike Coffey from the Piscataway Police Department; and Detective Mark Bajada from the Toms River Police Department.
“The annual Loss Prevention Professional Award recognizes Ed Rohena, Asset Protection Manager with Stop & Stop Supermarkets as a loss prevention executive who has advanced the mission of loss prevention and has offered significant contributions to protect and promote retail security issues,” said Doherty. “With more than two decades of experience, Ed has worked tirelessly with NJFC to promote retail security and loss prevention throughout the food industry, so it is only fitting that we honor his leadership and achievements at this conference.”
“Finally, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations and gratitude to the three members of law enforcement honored with the 2016 Retail Law Enforcement Achievement Award,” Doherty continued. “Their dedication to partnering with the retail community to combat crime has been critical to our efforts to reduce loss and theft, especially in dealing with organized retail crime.”