A.L.E.R.T. - Area Law Enforcement and Retailers Team
The A.L.E.R.T. Squad sends a clear message to people who are involved in illegal business activity in Shelby County. This specialized team was developed out of a group of interested officers in the General Investigations Bureau and Uniform Patrol. Monthly meetings between area Retailers, Loss Prevention Managers, and Local Law Enforcement encourage communications and support of A.L.E.R.T. Since its inception, this initiative has grown into a nationwide model, with A.L.E.R.T. meetings all over the United States.
The A.L.E.R.T. Squad deputies specialize in shoplifting, stolen property, construction thefts, pirated movies, music albums, counterfeited clothes and jewelry. This type of crime is called “Organized Retail Crime”, and is one of the fastest growing types of criminal activity in the United States.
A.L.E.R.T. History
The A.L.E.R.T. UNIT, which stands for (Area Law Enforcement and Retailers Team) was formed about 3 years ago (summer 2004) in Memphis, Shelby County, TN by local retail Loss Prevention representatives & the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. Currently there are 4 field Detectives and 1 Lieutenant from the SCSO assigned to the Task Force. The unit’s primary role is the investigation of crime involving organized retail theft (ORT) but also include identity theft investigations, fraud and forgery investigations, embezzlement, criminal seizures, & prosecution of counterfeit products such as clothing, fashion accessories, and illegally copied music and video products. Due to the success of the program the unit has expanded its scope to include other types of theft that can be connected to economic crime such as auto burglaries, cargo and trailer theft and construction theft.
Concept
The program is intended to provide a partnership between law enforcement, the banking industry & the retail community to combat crime. This same philosophy exists in many other markets around the country. In many areas, involvement in A.L.E.R.T. is merely an extension of existing programs or existing relationships between law enforcement agencies & LP departments. Involvement in A.L.E.R.T. is voluntary and each market is responsible for developing their own focus and actions. In many areas, major retailers such Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Sears, JC Penny, Schnucks & Target have been very instrumental in helping to form local groups. The A.L.E.R.T. team has established a strong relationship with the Memphis Area Homebuilders Association in combating all types of construction thefts.
Communication
The A.L.E.R.T. UNIT uses a website to enable law enforcement agencies, banking institutions, loss prevention staff, scrap metal vendors, and homebuilders to sign up. The website has forums for each state and individual forums for any market that would like to establish new topics, similar to a newsgroup website. The forums are set up so that any member can view or post information on incidents or topics. The postings are text messages, but photos or scanned items (such as copies of checks, booking photos, and surveillance photos) can be included in the post.
There are primarily two types of postings:
1.) Information on suspects that have been apprehended to share with others.
2.) Requests for identification of suspects based on still images from CCTV or other information such as license plates. There are future plans to enable small video clips to be uploaded and viewed.
The website also has a membership list of Law Enforcement Officers, Banking Institutions, Security Agencies and Loss Prevention Representatives. There is contact information and is an intended source for finding assistance from others. The website is fully supported and funded by the SCSO at no cost to members.
Many markets also have monthly meetings where members share information on suspects and organize events such as raids or stings.
Memphis Initiatives
There are a few initiatives within the Memphis Area organization that are note worthy:
| The SCSO has established a Memorandum of Understanding with the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office to expedite and prioritize A.L.E.R.T. cases. |
| A.L.E.R.T. investigators have initiated raids of outlets of stolen & counterfeit products on locations such as flea markets, trade shows, pawn shops, warehouses or local stores. |
| The SCSO and the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office have taken advantage of state laws allowing property used or purchased as a result of criminal activity to be seized and sold. This practice has enabled the SCSO A.L.E.R.T. UNIT to expand and become a significant funding avenue for equipment and staffing. |
| The A.L.E.R.T. program provides a tool that allows retail investigators the ability to view law enforcement records that are public information and to track their cases. |
A.L.E.R.T. Objectives
| Provide a high-tech way to fight organized retail theft (ORT) and consumer fraud at a minimal cost. |
| The development of an intelligence databank as well as a nationwide contact databank. |
| To coordinate investigative efforts between retailers, banking institutions, area homebuilders, and law enforcement in an attempt to reduce economic crimes in our communities |
| Provide a useful contact list to enable members to more easily conduct investigations which not only encompass their local area, but also other areas across the country. |
| To make law enforcement agencies aware that misdemeanor crime offenders can often provide information which can lead to larger scale organized theft and fraud groups. |
Membership
Membership in A.L.E.R.T. is initiated by interested parties going to the A.L.E.R.T. website and signing up to become a member. Within a week the application is reviewed and once approved access to the website is gained.
There are currently plans to determine if there is support and interest for a national conference in Memphis for 2008.
In addition, interested Local Retailers may also find out more information about joining the A.L.E.R.T. team by contacting the A.L.E.R.T. deputies via EMAIL.
Send an email tip to A.L.E.R.T:
Email a Construction Theft Tip
A.L.E.R.T. Statistics
Below are our latest A.L.E.R.T. statistics:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||