A Windsor police initiative launched less than a year ago is delivering what officers call “a made-in-Windsor solution” to the rising problem of retail theft — and now, the results are in. Since the July 2024 rollout of a new Retail Theft Initiative, police have made 192 arrests and cleared 528 shoplifting cases, a 34 per cent improvement over the previous year. Key to that progress, according to Deputy Chief of Operations Jason Crowley, is the creation of a dedicated full-time retail theft coordinator — an officer assigned solely to tracking shoplifters, identifying repeat offenders, and supporting investigations across the city. “Nearly 45 per cent of the suspects are recidivists,” Crowley said in a media briefing Tuesday. “That officer’s role allows them to drill down, track where these people live, what they do, their M.O., and really focus on one specific crime that’s been causing us a lot of pain.” So far in 2025, shoplifting reports across Windsor are down 33 per cent compared to the same period last year. The strategy is one police say they developed independently, with no provincial funding, and supported by reallocating internal resources. “To be honest, I wasn’t sure I expected the results so quickly,” said Crowley. “But the team we have in place is doing an amazing job.” Root causes and repeat offenders While the stats are trending in the right direction, Crowley said the broader issue is tied to deep-rooted social problems. “For years, people have fed their addiction — and whatever else they require — through petty theft, pawning, and fencing,” he said. “We’re seeing that now more than ever.” He also acknowledged the emergence of more organized retail crime networks, particularly at the provincial and national levels, though most of Windsor’s repeat offenders are known locally. “When it comes to organized groups, it’s like any crime network,” he said. “The people orchestrating it aren’t always the ones on the floor. But we’re starting to understand just how widespread it really is.” Despite the arrests and charges laid, many residents remain concerned about repeat offenders quickly returning to the streets. Crowley addressed that perception directly. “The police — we can do our job. What happens next is up to the courts,” he said. “They have their own framework for bail and release. We bring people to court, and the system does the rest.” He believes public understanding of that division of responsibility is growing. “I think people are starting to see that we are out there making arrests. If someone’s back out again quickly, it’s not because we didn’t do our job.” Online tools, better data Improving Windsor’s online crime reporting portal was another key element of the initiative. Police said the changes made it easier for retailers to report incidents — and led to a 95 per cent compliance rate, up from 79 per cent last year. That data, in turn, allows police to focus their efforts more strategically, including on the city’s top 10 most frequently targeted stores. Still, not every business is equipped to help. One of the biggest gaps police face, Crowley said, is a lack of working security cameras in some stores. “Please put cameras up,” he urged. “They’re inexpensive now, the quality is much better, and it really helps us. Gone are the days of pixelated, blurry images.” He also encouraged business owners to consider additional target-hardening measures, like employee presence near entrances and exits, to reduce opportunities for theft. Crowley said stronger partnerships with the Retail Council of Canada and local businesses — including both mom-and-pop shops and big-box chains — have been essential in making progress. “When we get that call and know someone’s been in the store before, we can act faster,” he said. “It’s about building those relationships so we can hold repeat offenders accountable.” Police said anyone with information on retail theft or organized crime groups targeting stores can contact the Windsor Police Service at 519-255-6700, ext. 4000 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 or catchcrooks.com.
