Theft cases increase as the holiday season approaches
UC instructor explains why retailers see more crime in December
University of Cincinnati asset security expert Karl Langhorst told FOX 19 that theft typically increases during the holiday season as crowded stores create more opportunities for criminals to go unnoticed.
In the segment, he tells how organized retail groups often scout locations in advance and arrive with “shopping lists,” allowing them to steal large amounts of merchandise within minutes and resell it through fencing operations ranging from flea markets to online platforms.
Langhorst noted that individual shoplifting also spikes this time of year. He said retailers rely on increased security and surveillance, but locking up merchandise remains the most effective — though sometimes inconvenient — deterrent.
He also warned about porch piracy, recommending that consumers schedule deliveries when they can be received in person or have packages sent to a secure location. Shoppers should avoid leaving visible bags in their vehicles, he added.
Langhorst teaches a course in loss prevention at UC's School of Criminal Justice and works in asset protection for several large corporations across the country.
Featured image at top courtesy of iStock Photo/Samuil_Levich.
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