District Attorney Hoovler and Staff Conduct Store Walk at Galleria Mall to Address Retail Crime
Initiative is Collaboration with Orange County Chamber of Commerce, the National District Attorneys Association and the Retail Industry Leaders Association
On Thursday, November 16, 2023, Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler together with Senior Staff and Assistant District Attorneys, conducted a store walk at the Galleria Mall in Middletown in order to meet with stakeholders and discuss issues related to retail crime. The purpose of the collaboration is to prevent, mitigate and prosecute retail theft in Orange County. The initiative is part of the Office’s education and awareness campaign in advance of the holiday season. It also comes after the District Attorney’s Office has joined with the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), and the Orange County Chamber of Commerce to promote the National Store Walk Month initiative. The initiative intends to address the urgent issue of retail crime and habitual theft and its rippling effects on our communities, signifying a pioneering step in facilitating crucial dialogue and cooperation between local law enforcement and community retailers.
District Attorney Hoovler has designated Chief Investigator Rudolph Simmons, Investigator Darrin Fulton and Assistant District Attorney Daniel Steyskal to lead Orange County’s participation, working hand-in-hand with community retailers, exchanging valuable insights, fostering a mutual understanding, and collaboratively developing retail crime mitigation strategies. The unprecedented partnership is anticipated to provide a robust understanding of the challenges at hand, enabling a unified and potent response.
Retail theft collectively costs communities billions annually, undermining local economies and threatening the viability of storefronts in neighborhoods across the country. Equally concerning, in recent years organized and habitual theft has become more brazen and violent, raising safety concerns for employees and customers alike—disrupting lives, jeopardizing livelihoods, and undermining the vitality of communities and neighborhood shopping districts. National Store Walk Month aims to address these concerns, promoting safer, prosperous, and more vibrant communities.
National Store Walk Month welcomes all local retailers and prosecutors to participate, encouraging a united front against retail crime, and fostering a safer, more secure future. As part of this initiative, District Attorney Hoovler reaffirms a commitment to protecting the local community, combating crime, and creating a more prosperous Orange County.
“We need proactive cooperation amongst law enforcement, retailers and the community to effectively tackle retail crime,”said District Attorney Hoovler. “My Office has committed a team to address this growing concern and we are glad to work collaboratively to address the issue. Any retailer who would like a security survey or packet on retail theft prosecution should contact my Office. Let’s make this holiday season a safe andprosperous one, for shoppers and store owners alike.”