Washington State Attorney and gubernatorial candidate General Bob Ferguson provided an update on efforts to combat organized retail crime during the Kent Chamber of Commerce’s Safety & Security Summit held on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
Ferguson emphasized the growing impact of organized theft on businesses across the state and highlighted recent successes achieved by his staff.
Speaking to local chamber members at the monthly luncheon, Ferguson acknowledged the widespread concern over retail crime.
“Organized retail crime has become a huge issue all across our state and nationally as well,” he said.
Ferguson outlined his office’s strategy to combat these sophisticated criminal operations, which often involve stealing products and reselling them online. He noted that these activities not only harm businesses but also pose risks to public health. For example, he warned that stolen baby formula, if not stored properly, could endanger infants’ health when sold online.
To address these crimes, Ferguson’s office created a specialized task force two years ago. The task force, which includes law enforcement, online sellers, and workers, has focused on prosecuting cases that often span multiple jurisdictions. Ferguson highlighted a recent case where an individual was convicted of four felony charges related to thefts totaling $145,000 from Target stores in Kitsap, Pierce, and King counties.
“This was a case that our team, because we had the resources from the legislature to create the team, was able to bring to a successful conclusion,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson also touched on the opioid crisis, another significant issue his office has tackled. He reported that his team has secured $1.3 billion in settlements from major pharmaceutical companies, money that will be used exclusively to address the opioid epidemic in Washington.
“Our team has filed a large number of lawsuits against some of the largest corporations in the world, often Fortune 15 companies like Purdue Pharmaceutical, which fueled the opioid epidemic by not playing by the rules,” Ferguson said. “Purdue, for instance, knew exactly how addictive OxyContin was despite their experts’ warnings, but they downplayed its addictiveness to the public and medical professionals.”
As Ferguson’s term as attorney general comes to a close and he prepares for the final leg of his campaign for governor, he expressed confidence that the groundwork laid by his office will continue to protect Washington’s communities.
“We’ve really set up a good program in our office that’s working well with the community, and I think that’s what the public expects,” he said.
Ferguson encouraged business owners and law enforcement to continue collaborating with his office, offering contact information for those who wish to report crimes or seek assistance.
The event also featured discussions on public safety issues, including cybersecurity threats and the challenges posed by homelessness and property crime, with insights from local law enforcement and fire officials.
Police, Fire Chief, Deputy Prosecutor & Cybersecurity Expert Also Spoke
In addition to the keynote presentation by Ferguson, Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla, Puget Sound Fire Chief Brian Carson, Deputy King County Prosecutor Patrick Hinds and Cybersecurity expert Raj Sindhu also spoke during a panel discussion.
Padilla addressed several key issues, focusing on the challenges and priorities of law enforcement in the community. He emphasized the importance of having adequate staffing to not only respond to calls but also to maintain a preventative presence, noting that while staffing levels have improved, more resources are still needed. Padilla highlighted a 35% increase in case filings with the Municipal Court, attributing this to legislative changes and improved police staffing.
He also discussed the importance of accountability in the criminal justice system, pointing out that while violent crime receives significant attention, property crimes often lack enough resources for thorough prosecution. Padilla expressed concern over the relatively light sentences that some offenders receive, suggesting that a lack of strong consequences contributes to rising crime rates.
“I love our prosecutor partners… Lisa Manion has been really focused on violent crime, which is one of the things I want to talk about today,” Padilla said. “They’re putting a lot of resources to make sure we’re addressing the worst offenders out there.”
Regarding homelessness, Padilla reassured business owners that they have the right to control their property and should not hesitate to contact law enforcement if issues arise. He explained that the police department works closely with fire department partners and social services to offer resources to the unhoused, aiming to address the problem with compassion while also enforcing the law when necessary.
Puget Sound Fire Chief Brian Carson also spoke, noting how fire risk is quickly growing for both businesses and residences in Western Washington.
“We are seeing an Eastern Washington fire danger problem in Western Washington,” he said. “In the last three years, I have seen fire growth in these open spaces unlike anything we saw previously.”
Carson cautioned business owners about how best to prevent fires.
“Overloaded dumpsters, things piled against the back of your buildings … alleys—that have pallets and such are inviting anyone who wants to be a bad actor,” he said.
Chief Deputy Patrick Hinds of the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spoke about the impact of crimes on businesses.
“One of the things we are trying to do is to work with our business partners, our retail partners, to help explain here’s what we will need from you guys so that when you call police and someone shows up, you can just hand them this packet of stuff,” Hinds said.
Cybersecurity expert Raj Sindhu, President of InTech Consulting, talked about the growing threat of cybercrime.
“From 2019 to 2023, the uptick in cybercrime has been anywhere from 500% to about 1,000% year-over-year,” Sindhu said. “It’s just a matter of when, not if.”
Video
Below is an edited video of the event, as filmed/edited by Scott Schaefer (running time 1-hour, 2-minutes):
