Deptford’s mayor and council hosted a crime prevention meeting on July 20 at the municipal building so government, law enforcement and businesses could discuss ways to combat thefts and other crime.
“It’s a collaborative effort between us, our public-safety team and all the retail businesses in Deptford,” said Mayor Paul Medany.
“The goal of this meeting, as Mayor Medany indicated, is not just to get together and talk about these issues, but what we want to do is build a coalition,” explained Public Safety Director Sean Dalton.
Other speakers included Police Chief Joe Smith and prosecutor Chuck Fiore of the Deptford and Woodbury joint municipal courts. Representatives from about 40 businesses – according to the township’s Facebook page – also attended. They ranged from large chain retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods to mom-and- pop businesses Chilly’s Heating and Cooling and Deptford Mall stores.
According to Smith, police handle about 25 to 30 shoplifting cases a day in the township, with many of its major businesses sitting along or near highways such as I-295.
Key statistics about thefts and crime were discussed at the meeting, such as how shoplifting and other retail thefts cost stores $100 billion last year, according to the National Retail Federation; how to identify theft; how to respond to a crime; and the process of charging a suspect.
“It’s having a huge impact on businesses,” said Dalton.
Emphasized at the meeting was communication with police and other nearby stores to warn people of suspected thefts and how to identify perpetrators.
“If you can, go out and get a picture of the (license) tag or of the vehicle,” said Det. Sgt. Bob Jones of a potential suspect’s vehicle. “It’s not just gonna help us solve cases, it’s gonna help all kinds of towns solve cases.”
Meeting attendees praised police for their attention to the crime problem.
“I’ve managed malls for 18 years and I’ve never had the police chief actually take a call on weekend duty to be able to interact,” said the mall’s Senior Property Manager Frank Lucia. “It’s important to be able to interact with the tenants and interact with the guests, and I think that says a lot about you (Smith) and your team.
Jones also provided the email for those who would like to join a working group that will combat retail crime. It is DTPD_RT_Working_Group@deptford-nj.org.
