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Toronto Crime Stoppers launches Organized Retail Crime Awareness Campaign

Oct. 3, 2023, Toronto, Ont. – Chief Myron Demkiw was recently joined by Toronto Police Services Board Chair Ann Morgan, Toronto Crime Stoppers Coordinator/Chair Sean Sportun, and Constable Sean O’Neill and corporate partners to launch the “It Costs Us All – Organized Retail Crime Awareness Campaign.”

This latest campaign serves as a reminder of the impacts retail theft is having on consumers. Retail theft is a profitable criminal enterprise that costs Canadian retailers approximately $5 billion a year. Along with the financial loss of retail crime, there is also the potential for increased violence associated with this type of criminal activity.

The focus of the initiative is to increase public awareness during the holiday season about the growing issue of organized retail theft. It also encourages citizens to report individuals involved in retail theft and other forms of criminal activity anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

“The Toronto Police Service is proud to continue supporting this great work by assisting Toronto Crime Stoppers and its partners in raising awareness about this very important issue,” said Chief Demkiw. “Community safety is a shared responsibility and our Service is committed to collaborating with the public and our partners including the Toronto Police Services Board, the Retail Council of Canada and Toronto Crime Stoppers to improve public safety. We encourage members of the public to report retail crime, or any type of criminal activity, anonymously through the Crime Stoppers platform.”

“Organized retail theft is a lucrative, criminal enterprise and part of the business plan for gangs to fund other illegal activities,” said Sean Sportun, Chair, Toronto Crime Stoppers. “These individuals or groups present a significant threat to the safety of employees and the overall community.”

The campaign includes promotional posters, public service announcements, advertising and a social media campaign to educate the community about the costs associated with this crime.