Congressman Cohen Questions Witnesses at a Hearing on Organized Retail Crime

WASHINGTON - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today questioned expert witnesses on organized retail crime at a hearing in the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime.

In his opening statement, Congressman Cohen described the breadth of organized retail crime and its impact on Memphis, in particular, as a transportation and logistics hub. He also discussed the importance of a carefully calibrated federal policy that respects state and local public safety efforts.

"Organized Retail Crime [policies]... must be well-designed, with thoughtful allocation of roles and responsibilities. We need federal assistance, especially in tackling the interstate problems. We need federal expertise and tools to investigate sophisticated syndicates. But in doing that, we must be careful not to undermine the local policing," Cohen said.

Pointing to the ongoing complications with the Memphis Safety Task Force, Congressman Cohen noted the unnecessary and ineffective deployment of the National Guard and that "we now have U.S. Marshals in Memphis, doing traffic stops." Cohen continued, "this is troubling and potentially dangerous. First, it's confusing. But it also undercuts the exact type of community-based policing that we have been striving to build."

Acting as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, Congressman Cohen focused his questions on thefts from railroad boxcars, a serious ongoing problem in Memphis.

See his opening statement hereand his questions to question to witnesses here.

Witnesses at today's hearing were:

• Scott McBride, Chief Global Asset Protection Officer & Chief Security Officer, American Eagle Inc.;
• Chris Spear, President and CEO, American Trucking Association;
• Shane Bennett, Principal of Cyber Defense for Theft, Fraud & Abuse, Target; and
• Summer Stephan, District Attorney, San Diego County, California

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