Bensalem Township has launched a task force aimed at reducing retail shoplifting and business theft.
The Bensalem Secure Theft Reduction Task Force is a comprehensive program targeting internal and external theft at retail and other businesses.
The task force was announced during the Bensalem Secure Summit held Jan. 31, at the Bensalem Township offices and introduced several new initiatives developed by the Bensalem Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) in collaboration with Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo’s office, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and the Bensalem Police Department.
The first of several free theft-reduction workshops is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 28 at Wazoodle Fabrics in Bensalem.
“Our goal is to bring our business community together in collaboration with law enforcement to reduce theft with practical and sustainable solutions,” said BEDC Executive Director Bob Norkus.
“Retailers in Pennsylvania lost approximately $3 billion due to theft in 2022, and as a result, the commonwealth lost out on $176 million in retail sales tax,” said William McVey, Bensalem’s director of public safety. “The state has experienced a 30 percent increase in retail theft over the past two years, yet shoplifters are caught and prosecuted only a fraction of the time. Our focus in Bensalem is partnership, prevention and prosecution.”
At the Bensalem Secure Summit, dozens of business leaders convened to provide valuable input and interact with key stakeholders, who shared existing resources, technology and enforcement policies, as well as new initiatives including:
•The Bensalem Secure toll-free hotline for employees to report internal or external theft concerns safely and anonymously.
•Store window decals and posters that inform would-be thieves that Bensalem protects its community and prosecutes all crimes. Business owners can pick up free items at BEDC in the Bensalem Township Administrative Building at 2400 Byberry Road.
•The Fusus cloud networking camera program, designed to create stronger public-private collaborations to keep communities safe. The platform enables businesses and community organizations to work more closely with the Bensalem Township Police Department to mitigate and investigate criminal activity in their neighborhoods.
Bensalem Detective Shawn Smith and Detective Sergeant Glenn Vandegrift reviewed practical loss-prevention practices and discussed the advanced technology the township utilizes to investigate crimes after the fact in real time, which include:
•360-degree cameras at 55 Bensalem intersections, with 10 new cameras pending
•25 license plate readers
•Drones in law-enforcement vehicles
For information about the workshop and to obtain free posters, decals, and hotline information, contact info@bensalemedc.org, call 215-633-3604, or visit www.bensalemedc.org/bensalem-secure.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
