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SafeSport Center changes targeted in new bill aimed at sex abuse in sportsGRAND RAPIDS, MI – A $10,000 reward is being offered for information that helps solve a young man’s homicide nearly one year ago. Martin Eduardo Martinez-Ramirez, 20, was found shot to death in his car Jan. 27, in a parking lot on Wing Avenue. Now, Silent Observer, in partnership with the Martinez family, are offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. RELATED: ‘We are all heartbroken:’ Family devastated after young man found slain in vehicle The reward and an impactful billboard campaign called, “You Know Who Killed Me,” are efforts to seek justice and bring closure to the family. The billboards, featuring Martinez-Ramirez’s photo, will appear in the Wyoming and Grand Rapids area to remind the community that every tip matters. Martinez-Ramirez worked at an Amazon warehouse and was two months from his associate degree in automotive technology. His family said he was an easy-going young man who got along with everyone and was known for his kindness. Anyone with any information is asked to call Silent Observer at 616-774-2345. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free “ 3@3 Grand Rapids ” daily newsletter.
Why Biotechnology Company Carmell Shares Are Seeing Blue Skies Tuesday?Grandmaster left red-faced: Brutal blunder as new chess king Gukesh crowned at just 18Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Announces Bid for Top Oversight Job as Democrats Push for Generational Change
No. 24 Army tries to end debut season in AAC with a championship by beating TulaneTuesday, December 24, 2024 Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) , the parent company of Malaysia Airlines , has officially unveiled its first A330-900 (A330neo) aircraft, marking a pivotal moment in the company’s ongoing fleet modernization strategy. The launch event took place at the MAB Engineering Complex , Hangar 6, where the aircraft was revealed in the presence of key dignitaries, including Loke Siew Fook , Minister of Transport Malaysia, and Dato’ Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir , Managing Director of Khazanah Nasional Berhad , the main shareholder of MAG. The aircraft is set to begin its maiden journey to Melbourne on flight MH149 later this evening. This significant milestone represents MAG’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiency while providing an elevated level of comfort, sustainability, and service for passengers. The A330neo is part of MAG’s broader initiative to modernize its fleet and improve the overall travel experience for customers, combining cutting-edge technology with Malaysian hospitality. A Step Forward in Fleet Modernization The arrival of the A330neo aircraft is not just a celebration of a new aircraft type, but also a testament to MAG’s determination to remain at the forefront of the highly competitive aviation industry. According to Minister Loke Siew Fook , “The launch of MAG’s first Airbus A330neo is not just the introduction of a new aircraft; it is a reflection of our resilience and commitment to progress. It also highlights Malaysia’s focus on sustainability and the immense potential of Malaysian talent in advancing aviation.” Datuk Captain Izham Ismail , Group Managing Director of MAG , further emphasized the significance of the launch, noting, “The debut of our first A330neo marks a transformative moment for MAG as we modernize our fleet and usher in a new era of air travel where innovation, comfort, and sustainability converge. We are committed to ensuring that our passengers enjoy exceptional journeys, all while embodying the warmth and care of Malaysian Hospitality .” The A330neo’s Cutting-Edge Features The A330neo , powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines , offers a range of advanced features designed to provide an unmatched travel experience. Notably, the aircraft boasts a 14% reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions compared to previous-generation aircraft, aligning with MAG’s dedication to sustainability. The A330neo will carry 297 passengers , including 28 seats in Business Class and 269 seats in Economy Class , with 24 extra-legroom seats . The Business Class seats are equipped with Collins Aerospace Elevation seats in a 1-2-1 herringbone configuration . These seats feature an all-suite cabin with individual privacy doors, enhancing passenger comfort and privacy during long-haul flights. This design is a first for MAG , offering a level of luxury and convenience that aims to redefine the premium cabin experience. Additionally, the aircraft is equipped with FlightPath3D , an interactive moving map system that provides passengers with real-time tracking of their journey, as well as detailed insights into the flight. The in-flight entertainment system is designed with family travelers in mind, featuring a ‘Kids Mode’ to keep children entertained throughout their journey. Enhancing the Passenger Experience The A330neo also provides high-speed connectivity , ensuring that passengers across all cabin classes can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi during their flight. Business Class passengers will also benefit from SkySnacks , a self-service offering of curated light snacks available at any time during the flight. MAG’s Exclusive Partnership with Mercedes-Benz In addition to unveiling the A330neo , MAG also announced an exclusive partnership with Mercedes-Benz for its private terminal transfer service starting in January 2025. This partnership will provide eligible passengers with the luxury of being chauffeured in style to and from KLIA Terminal 1 . The Mercedes-Benz EQS 500 4MATIC and Mercedes-Benz S 580 e plug-in hybrid vehicles will offer a quiet, dynamic, and luxurious experience, aligning with MAG’s commitment to enhancing the passenger journey with sustainable, sophisticated transportation options. MAG’s Expanding Fleet and Future Plans MAG continues to strengthen its fleet with the addition of the A330neo and has ambitious plans for the future. By 2028 , MAG is expected to have a total of 20 A330neo aircraft in its fleet. The carrier is also expanding its fleet with narrowbody and widebody aircraft, anticipating the addition of 62 narrowbody and 52 widebody aircraft by 2033 . This is part of MAG’s larger goal of becoming a leading force in the aviation industry, with an eye on delivering highly customized, end-to-end travel solutions by 2025. Malaysia Aviation Group’s Vision for the Future With a strong foundation in airlines , aviation services , and loyalty and travel services , MAG is positioning itself as Asia’s Leading Travel and Aviation Services Group . The group’s current offerings include Malaysia Airlines , Firefly , MASwings , and AMAL by Malaysia Airlines , along with its aviation services like MAB Engineering , MASkargo , and AeroDarat . The group’s overarching vision is to provide world-class travel experiences and services to passengers, ensuring both convenience and sustainability. As MAG continues to expand its fleet and innovate in passenger services, the unveiling of the A330neo is just one example of its commitment to excellence and passenger satisfaction. With a strong focus on both sustainability and luxury, MAG is well on its way to revolutionizing air travel for its customers. Conclusion The launch of the A330neo marks a significant chapter in MAG’s journey, symbolizing its determination to lead in an evolving aviation landscape. By prioritizing innovation , comfort , and sustainability , MAG is redefining the future of air travel, offering passengers an elevated and eco-friendly flying experience. With plans for continued fleet expansion and strategic partnerships, MAG is poised to continue its growth and solidify its position as a global aviation leader.
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police's Crime Branch has arrested Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Naresh Balyan in connection with a year-old extortion case and alleged ties to gangster Kapil Sangwan, also known as Nandu. The arrest follows the emergence of an audio clip featuring an alleged conversation between Balyan and the notorious gangster, who is currently operating from abroad. According to police sources, Balyan was initially detained but subsequently arrested for failing to cooperate during questioning. The Crime Branch is expected to present him before a Delhi court tomorrow, seeking his custodial remand to advance the investigation. The controversy erupted after the BJP released an audio clip in which Balyan could be allegedly heard instructing gangster Nandu to threaten and extort money from a builder in the city. The audio clip intensified political tensions in the capital, with the BJP accusing the AAP of harboring individuals with criminal tendencies. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva launched a scathing attack on the ruling party, citing the recent conviction of AAP MLA Naresh Yadav in a 2016 case of Quran desecration. “Arvind Kejriwal’s party shelters individuals who insult religious sentiments and are connected to heinous crimes,” said Sachdeva, further alleging links between AAP leaders and international terror outfits. The AAP, however, dismissed the arrest as politically motivated. Party spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh called the audio clip “fabricated” and accused the BJP of resorting to desperate measures. “The BJP has yet again mocked the justice system with fake claims,” Singh said, reiterating that the courts had already stayed the dissemination of the audio clip.
HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans didn’t need to see what Baltimore’s Derrick Henry is doing this season to be reminded of just how dangerous he can be. He ran all over the Texans for years while playing in the AFC South for the Tennessee Titans. Henry and the Ravens (10-5) visit AFC South champion Houston (9-6) on Wednesday, looking for a win to keep their AFC North title chances alive. Baltimore has clinched a playoff berth for a third straight season but needs wins in its last two games and one loss by the Steelers to capture the division. Henry, who ranks second in the NFL with 1,636 yards rushing, has had some of his greatest success against the Texans. Four of the 30-year-old’s six career 200-yard rushing games have been against Houston, including a career-high 250 in the season finale in the 2020 season to surpass 2,000 yards. “You talk about fast, explosive, physical — he’s looking probably the best he’s looked in his career,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He’s found that fountain of youth ... he’s a great player. It’s fun to see guys rebound and bounce back the way that he’s done this year.” Dealing with Henry along with all the challenges that quarterback Lamar Jackson presents makes the top-ranked Ravens one of Houston’s more difficult matchups. “You talk about MVP, (Jackson’s) definitely the MVP in my mind just for what he’s doing not only in the run game but also throwing the football,” Ryans said. “The accuracy, the decision-making, like, he’s playing unbelievable ball right now, so it’s going to be a really tough challenge for us this week.” Another challenge for the Texans is moving on after Tank Dell sustained a season-ending knee injury in Saturday’s loss to Kansas City. His injury is another blow to a receiving group that already was without star Stefon Diggs, who tore his ACL in Week 8. “The position we’re in, it’s not a lot of times where you can sulk in your feelings for very long,” quarterback C.J. Stroud said. “You’ve got to just keep rolling. I think that’s a testament to just life in general. Everybody has stuff on their plate. Everybody is going through something. And just because we’re in this position, doesn’t mean you get to feel sorry for yourself.” Houston will rely on Stroud to keep the passing game rolling despite the loss of Dell, who ranks second on the team with 667 yards receiving. Baltimore coach John Harbaugh has been impressed with Stroud’s growth in Year 2 and knows that dealing with him will be difficult for his team, which ranks 31st in the NFL by allowing 254.9 yards passing a game. “He’s just a supertalented guy... he’s surrounded with some good weapons, and he gets the ball out quick,” Harbaugh said. “He handles pressure well, he can move, he’s athletic, scrambles and makes plays.” Jackson is a big fan of Beyoncé, though he didn’t know the title of his favorite song of hers, saying it was “To the left,” which is just the first lines of her hit “Irreplaceable.” And he doesn’t think playing in Wednesday’s game should stop him from seeing her halftime show on Christmas . “I’m going to go out there and watch,” he said. “First time seeing Beyoncé perform, and it’s at our game — that’s dope. I’m going to go out and watch. Sorry Harbaugh, sorry fellas." He later clarified that he was kidding about sneaking out at halftime to get a glimpse of Queen Bey. “I was just thinking about just seeing Beyoncé for the first time,” he said. “Not saying it like that; no disrespect, because I know how people can take things. Next question.” Houston receiver John Metchie could have a chance for a big game with Dell out. Metchie is playing in his second NFL season after missing his entire rookie year while undergoing cancer treatment. He has just 182 yards receiving this season, with his best game coming against Detroit, when he had a career-high 72 yards receiving and his only NFL TD. Stroud is looking for Metchie and fellow reserve Xavier Hutchinson to help make up for Dell’s absence against the Ravens. “Those guys have another opportunity to show who they are and I know that they can do it,” Stroud said. “I see them in practice do it every week. So, I’m excited for them and it’s a good opportunity for them to step up.” Jackson is up to 6,023 yards rushing for his career. The NFL record for a quarterback is 6,109 by Michael Vick, so Jackson could break it with a big game on Wednesday. Jackson also leads the NFL in passer rating and is in the conversation for his third MVP. Although it sounds like that’s a discussion he’d rather not get involved in. “No other choice but to hear it,” Jackson said. “They (are) tagging me in it. You don’t (have) to tag me. You can talk about it all you want, but you want to tag me to get like clickbait because you know sometimes I (will) say something back like, ‘That was stupid.’ It is what it is. I don’t care, though. I really don’t care about the talk.” AP Sports Writer Noah Trister in Owings Mills, Maryland, contributed to this report. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
For 35 years, Phil Carle, a woodworking teacher at Merrimack High School, has introduced students to a virtual forest of possibilities. The high school's state-of-the-art woodshop contains 18 lathes with tools for turning and transforming wood into functional and artistic objects, including candlestand tables, bowls and ax handles. His students, male and female, run the gamut from the curious and creative to the tentative, dedicated or pre-professional. There's no shortage of interest in the subjects he teaches — Discover, Woodworking, Advanced Woodworking and Creative Lathe Turning. Post-pandemic and in a digital culture and marketplace, most of his classes remain full, and no one expects to scoot through with a barely passing grade. "If you sign up for Mr. Carle's class, you're making products that you'll be proud of when you leave," Carle said. "If students see a need for something at their house, we do it." Since 2001, Merrimack High School has had the largest lathe turning facility in New England's public schools. Last month, and for the third time, New Hampshire Woodworking Guild members came to collaborate with woodshop students to fabricate wig stands for cancer patients. Some drove from Kittery, Maine. Students ages 15 to 18 were "elbow to elbow with Guild members that are retired or working professionals, all working on projects together," said Carle. "When you talk to the students, they say, 'Oh, it was so much fun!' What defines the fun? Skill development. Building confidence. Communicating with each other in person. Doing something for others." One of Carle'[s former students designed and built a pedestal table that won a Gold Key Award in a Scholastic Art & Writing Competition — plus a $57,000 scholarship from one of the sponsors, the Maine School of Art and Design. "There's so much problem solving, in woodworking," he said. Many kids relish working with their hands. "They glow. They thrive. It gives them confidence to pursue other interests they may not have thought they could do." Dimitri Smith, a senior who wants to become a forester and a 'fire jumper' who extinguishes forest fires, built a new handle for the 1941 Collins ax he bought at a vintage tool store in northern New Hampshire, using the traditional tools and methods he learned in woodshop. At the New England Woodworking Competition last month, he took third place among high school students for a 'hollow form,' an artistic object created with a lathe. "Technology has always been a center of discovery and change through all cultures. The computer screen is not the only center," said Carle.Trump offers support for dockworkers union by saying ports shouldn’t install more automated systems
NEW YORK, Nov. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces that it has filed a lawsuit against Evolv Technologies Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: EVLV) and certain of the Company’s current and former senior executives. If you invested in Evolv, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/evolv-technologies-holdings-inc . Investors have until December 31, 2024 to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors in Evolv’s securities. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts and is captioned Buchan v. Evolv Technologies Holdings, Inc. , No. 1:24-cv-12768. A copy of the lawsuit can be found here: https://www.bfalaw.com/siteFiles/Cases/EvolvFiledComplaint.pdf What is the Lawsuit About? Evolv is a security technology company that utilizes AI-based screening designed to help create safer experiences. The complaint alleges that Evolv’s financial statements prepared for the periods between the second quarter of 2022 and the second quarter of 2024 contained material misstatements relating to Evolv’s revenue recognition and other reported metrics that are a function of revenue. On October 25, 2024, Evolv announced that the Company’s financial statements issued between the second quarter of 2022 and the second quarter of 2024 should not be relied upon due to material misstatements impacting revenue recognition and other previously reported metrics that are a function of revenue. The Company revealed that certain sales, including sales to one of its largest channel partners, were subject to extra-contractual terms and conditions not shared with the Company’s accounting personnel and that certain Company personnel engaged in misconduct in connection with those transactions. The Company also announced that it has self-reported these issues to the Division of Enforcement of the Securities and Exchange Commission and was delaying filing its upcoming quarterly report for the third quarter of 2024. On this news, the price of Evolv stock declined roughly 40%, from $4.10 per share on October 24, 2024, to $2.47 per share on October 25, 2024. Then, on October 31, 2024, Evolv announced the termination of the Company’s CEO, Peter George, effective immediately. The Company announced that Michael Ellenbogen, Evolv’s Chief Innovation Officer will serve in an interim role until a successor is appointed. On this news, the price of Evolv stock declined roughly 8%, from $2.34 per share on October 30, 2024, to $2.15 per share on October 31, 2024. Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/evolv-technologies-holdings-inc . What Can You Do? If you invested in Evolv you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm. All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses. Submit your information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/evolv-technologies-holdings-inc Or contact: Ross Shikowitz ross@bfalaw.com 212-789-3619 Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP? Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It was named among the Top 5 plaintiff law firms by ISS SCAS in 2023 and its attorneys have been named Titans of the Plaintiffs’ Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thompson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.’s Board of Directors (pending court approval), as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd. For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com . https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/evolv-technologies-holdings-inc Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Amanda Hernández | (TNS) Stateline.org CHICAGO — Shoplifting rates in the three largest U.S. cities — New York, Los Angeles and Chicago — remain higher than they were before the pandemic, according to a report last month from the nonpartisan research group Council on Criminal Justice. Related Articles National News | Bill Clinton is out of the hospital after being treated for the flu National News | NORAD’s Santa tracker was a Cold War morale boost. Now it attracts millions of kids National News | ‘Depravity’: Man set woman on fire in New York subway and watched her burn to death, police say National News | Heavy travel day off to a rough start after American Airlines briefly grounds all flights National News | Why did Bob Casey lose his Senate seat? Blame Elon Musk, Fetterman says The sharp rise in retail theft in recent years has made shoplifting a hot-button issue, especially for politicians looking to address public safety concerns in their communities. Since 2020, when viral videos of smash-and-grab robberies flooded social media during the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans have expressed fears that crime is out of control. Polls show that perceptions have improved recently, but a majority of Americans still say crime is worse than in previous years. “There is this sense of brazenness that people have — they can just walk in and steal stuff. ... That hurts the consumer, and it hurts the company,” said Alex Piquero, a criminology professor at the University of Miami and former director of the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics, in an interview. “That’s just the world we live in,” he said. “We need to get people to realize that you have to obey the law.” At least eight states — Arizona, California, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, New York and Vermont — passed a total of 14 bills in 2024 aimed at tackling retail theft, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The measures range from redefining retail crimes and adjusting penalties to allowing cross-county aggregation of theft charges and protecting retail workers. Major retailers have responded to rising theft since 2020 by locking up merchandise, upgrading security cameras, hiring private security firms and even closing stores. Still, the report indicates that shoplifting remains a stubborn problem. In Chicago, the rate of reported shoplifting incidents remained below pre-pandemic levels throughout 2023 — but surged by 46% from January to October 2024 compared with the same period a year ago. Shoplifting in Los Angeles was 87% higher in 2023 than in 2019. Police reports of shoplifting from January to October 2024 were lower than in 2023. Los Angeles adopted a new crime reporting system in March 2024, which has likely led to an undercount, according to the report. In New York, shoplifting rose 48% from 2021 to 2022, then dipped slightly last year. Still, the shoplifting rate was 55% higher in 2023 than in 2019. This year, the shoplifting rate increased by 3% from January to September compared with the same period last year. While shoplifting rates tend to rise in November and December, which coincides with in-person holiday shopping, data from the Council on Criminal Justice’s sample of 23 U.S. cities shows higher rates in the first half of 2024 compared with 2023. Researchers found it surprising that rates went up despite retailers doing more to fight shoplifting. Experts say the spike might reflect improved reporting efforts rather than a spike in theft. “As retailers have been paying more attention to shoplifting, we would not expect the numbers to increase,” said Ernesto Lopez, the report’s author and a senior research specialist with the council. “It makes it a challenge to understand the trends of shoplifting.” Impact on retailers, communities In downtown Chicago on a recent early afternoon, potential shoppers shuffled through the streets and nearby malls, browsing for gifts ahead of the holidays. Edward Johnson, a guard at The Shops at North Bridge, said that malls have become quieter in the dozen or so years he has worked in mall security, with the rise of online retailers. As for shoplifters, Johnson said there isn’t a single type of person to look out for — they can come from any background. “I think good-hearted people see something they can’t afford and figure nothing is lost if they take something from the store,” Johnson said as he patrolled the mall, keeping an eye out for lost or suspicious items. Between 2018 and 2023, most shoplifting in Chicago was reported in the downtown area, as well as in the Old Town, River North and Lincoln Park neighborhoods, according to a separate analysis by the Council on Criminal Justice. Newly sworn-in Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke this month lowered the threshold for charging retail theft as a felony in the county, which includes Chicago, from $1,000 to $300, aligning it with state law. “It sends a signal that she’s taking it seriously,” Rob Karr, the president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, told Stateline. Nationally, retailers are worried about organized theft. The National Retail Federation’s latest report attributed 36% of the $112.1 billion in lost merchandise in 2022 to “external theft,” which includes organized retail crime. Organized retail crime typically involves coordinated efforts by groups to steal items with the intent to resell them for a profit. Commonly targeted goods include high-demand items such as baby formula, laundry detergent and electronics. The same report found that retailers’ fear of violence associated with theft also is on the rise, with more retailers taking a “hands-off approach.” More than 41% of respondents to the organization’s 2023 survey, up from 38% in 2022, reported that no employee is authorized to try and stop a shoplifter. (The federation’s reporting has come under criticism. It retracted a claim last year that attributed nearly half of lost merchandise in 2021 to organized retail crime; such theft accounted for only about 5%. The group announced this fall it will no longer publish its reports on lost merchandise.) Increased penalties Policy experts say shoplifting and organized retail theft can significantly harm critical industries, drive up costs for consumers and reduce sales tax revenue for states. Those worries have driven recent state-level action to boost penalties for shoplifting. California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a package of 10 bills into law in August aimed at addressing retail theft. These measures make repeated theft convictions a felony, allow aggregation of crimes across multiple counties to be charged as a single felony, and permit police to arrest suspects for retail theft even if the crime wasn’t witnessed directly by an officer. In September, Newsom signed an additional bill that imposes steeper felony penalties for large-scale theft offenses. California voters also overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure in November that increases penalties for specific drug-related and theft crimes. Under the new law, people who are convicted of theft at least twice may face felony charges on their third offense, regardless of the stolen item’s value. “With these changes in the law, really it comes down to making sure that law enforcement is showing up to our stores in a timely manner, and that the prosecutors and the [district attorneys] are prosecuting,” Rachel Michelin, the president and CEO of the California Retailers Association, told Stateline. “That’s the only way we’re going to deter retail theft in our communities.” In New Jersey, a bipartisan bill making its way through the legislature would increase penalties for leading a shoplifting ring and allow extended sentences for repeat offenders. “This bill is going after a formally organized band of criminals that deliver such destruction to a critical business in our community. We have to act. We have to create a deterrence,” Democratic Assemblymember Joseph Danielsen, one of the bill’s prime sponsors, said in an interview with Stateline. The legislation would allow extended sentences for people convicted of shoplifting three times within 10 years or within 10 years of their release from prison, and would increase penalties to 10 to 20 years in prison for leading a retail crime ring. The bill also would allow law enforcement to aggregate the value of stolen goods over the course of a year to charge serial shoplifters with more serious offenses. Additionally, the bill would increase penalties for assaults committed against retail workers, and would require retailers to train employees on detecting gift card scams. Maryland legislators considered a similar bill during this year’s legislative session that would have defined organized retail theft and made it a felony. The bill didn’t make it out of committee, but Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance, said the group plans to propose a bill during next year’s legislative session that would target gift card fraud. Retail theft data Better, more thorough reporting from retailers is essential to truly understanding shoplifting trends and its full impact, in part because some retail-related crimes, such as gift card fraud, are frequently underreported, according to Lopez, of the Council on Criminal Justice. Measuring crime across jurisdictions is notoriously difficult , and the council does not track organized retail theft specifically because law enforcement typically doesn’t identify it as such at the time of arrest — if an arrest even occurs — requiring further investigation, Lopez said. The council’s latest report found conflicting trends in the FBI’s national crime reporting systems. The FBI’s older system, the Summary Reporting System, known as SRS, suggests that reported shoplifting hadn’t gone up through 2023, remaining on par with 2019 levels. In contrast, the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System, or NIBRS, shows a 93% increase in shoplifting over the same period. The discrepancy may stem from the type of law enforcement agencies that have adopted the latter system, Lopez said. Some of those communities may have higher levels of shoplifting or other types of property crime, which could be what is driving the spike, Lopez said. Despite the discrepancies and varying levels of shoplifting across the country, Lopez said, it’s important for retailers to report these incidents, as doing so could help allocate law enforcement resources more effectively. “All law enforcement agencies have limited resources, and having the most accurate information allows for not just better policy, but also better implementation — better use of strategic resources,” Lopez said. Stateline staff writer Robbie Sequeira contributed to this report. ©2024 States Newsroom. Visit at stateline.org. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Putin says he will fire MORE of Russia's new hypersonic missiles at targets in Ukraine and has already begun mass production of the nuclear-capable weapon
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