Organized crime rings are causing a considerable financial impact on retailers according to a National Retail Federation (NRF) 2020 survey. Security guards are stopping brazen shoplifters from emptying products from the shelves of stores such as Walgreens, CVS and other retailers.

Still, according to the NRF survey, organized crime is costing retailers $700,000 per $1 billion in sales. Los Angeles tops the list of cities in the nation where retailers are most affected by crime rings. San Francisco comes in fifth with Sacramento listed as number 10.

Most of those surveyed say they’ve seen an increase in crime ring activity over the past 12 months. What’s prompting the increase? Survey responders say the reason is relaxed law enforcement guidelines and loosening of laws that decrease penalties for shoplifting.

Increased Security Guard Presence. Some retailers are taking drastic actions. Walgreens has closed all 17 of its stores in San Francisco. Other retailers are adding more security guards to stop shoplifters.

Security guards, not store employees, are responsible for detaining shoplifters. Security guards are trained to use non-physical and, when needed, physical restraint tactics until police arrive.

Shoplifters quickly learn which stores take shoplifting prevention seriously and stores that do not. When trained security guards are present, shoplifters know that they are less likely to get away with their criminal activity. They’ll move on to other, less secure, locations.

One of the top retail security guard firms in Los Angeles and San Francisco is Access Patrol Services. Access Patrol Services has over 25 years of security experience with fully licensed armed and unarmed guards.

For more information about security guard services in Los Angeles, San Francisco and throughout California and Arizona, call Access Patrol Services at 866-770-0004 or click on https://accesspatrolservice.com.