Windsor has seen a 31 per cent drop in retail theft reports over the last year, according to Windsor police. Police say the success is being driven by the Retail Crime Unit, a dedicated team zeroing in on shoplifters, repeat offenders, and organized retail crime. “Retail theft has a significant impact on businesses, employees, and the community as a whole,” said Jennifer Crosby, Inspector of Patrol Support. “The work of this unit is ensuring that repeat offenders are identified and held accountable, while also addressing organized groups that exploit our retailers. These results reflect the dedication of our members and the importance of strong partnerships with local businesses.” In September 2024, the specialized unit began focusing efforts on a costly and growing issue. Canadian retailers lost an estimated $9.1 billion to shoplifting and organized theft last year, according to the Retail Council of Canada. The losses hurt businesses and drive up prices for consumers. Police say the Retail Crime Unit’s strength lies in its focused, data-driven approach. Officers proactively track repeat offenders, connect thefts across multiple locations, and share intelligence with police in neighbouring regions. They also maintain close partnerships with local retailers, helping businesses tighten prevention strategies and ensuring store owners know they aren’t facing the problem alone. Since its launch, the Retail Crime Unit has solved a total of 570 shoplifting-related incidents, including four directly tied to organized crime groups. This represents a 14 per cent improvement in solved cases compared to the previous year. Nearly 51 per cent of those arrested were repeat offenders, showing how the unit is successfully targeting recidivist offenders. Anyone with information regarding retail thefts or organized retail crime is asked to contact Windsor Police Service at 519-255-6700, ext. 4283. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.catchcrooks.com.
