Modesto Police Continues to Prevent Organized Property Crime
Progress Magazine, May 2024
Modesto Police Department, the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s office and retailers are strategically collaborating to reduce organized retail theft.
City of Modesto • Bob Kimball. Community and Economic Development, Economic Development Marketing Specialist
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The department took a big step forward in the Fall of 2023 by securing a $6 million grant from the State of California’s Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Prevention Grant Program. The ORT grant requires no match from the City’s General Fund and is already enabling increased monthly operations and staff hours, significant expansion of the electronic license plate reader network, added vehicle systems including a new bait car, additional analytic software, and increased civilian retail theft investigation staff.
Organized retail store theft and vehicle related theft have been increasingly noted in California news. These are not victimless crimes. Store closures eliminate jobs and are particularly hard on underserved areas. Modesto is committed to being a safe place to live, work, and play and has zero tolerance for these crimes compared to other areas.
The Modesto Police Department (MPD) has been strategically effective in preventing property crimes. With their motto “Not in Modesto”, MPD’s 5-pronged deterrence approach includes community outreach, collaboration with retailers, leveraging of equipment and technology, use of social media, and directed enforcement. Modesto capitalizes on experience, capacity, relationships with key stakeholders including the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office, strong ties with the community and the ability to identify current and emerging trends to rapidly deploy resources.
Modesto’s Chief of Police Brandon Gillespie said, “"Our proactive stance against organized retail theft, supported by this grant, has already yielded significant results, enhancing our capabilities through increased resources. The additional staffing and advanced technology now at our disposal not only bolster our operational effectiveness but also reinforce our commitment to safeguarding the community and supporting local businesses. This strategic focus is pivotal as we continue to innovate and adapt in our ongoing efforts to reduce crime and build partnerships with local retailers.”
The ORT grant came in time for 2023 holiday shopping season operations resulting in 124 arrests and recovery of $40,000 in property. MPD is quickly implementing grant-funded programs including purchase of new surveillance equipment with installations started in March. Bi-monthly meetings with retailers are ongoing, two new community prevention videos have been produced, and signboard trailers are being deployed.
Outreach and collaboration are key to MPD’s property crime success. MPD conducts bi-monthly meetings with a retailer advisory group to stay on top of trends and develop operations. (retailer spokesperson TBD) Amy MacPhail, Vintage Faire Mall Marketing Manager, said “We really appreciate the support of our partners in law enforcement and their diligence to the threat of retail crime throughout our community.”
Crime prevention is the overarching goal for MPD. An important part of Modesto’s property crime success is its strong partnership with the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office. The District Attorney referred all 124 holiday retail theft operation arrests for prosecution, in contrast to low or even zero prosecution rates in other areas, underscoring our local zero-tolerance commitment. Wendell Emerson, Chief Deputy District Attorney’s Office says “Our Office “has developed a strategic ORT plan that raises arrest charges to felony level, which secures high bail requirements and significant sentencing on conviction. We are enhancing our work with our own ORT grant that is adding dedicated capacity, technology and advertising for retailers and the public. We have a lot of synergy with MPD; they’ve done a great job building retail community collaboration and trust, public awareness, and use technology in sophisticated ways. Together, we are sending a strong message to would-be thieves that Modesto and Stanislaus County will arrest and convict them, and they will go to jail or prison.”