Retail Theft Summit In Bensalem Wednesday

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —With retail thefts rising in the township and the nation, the Bensalem Township Police Department plans a summit next week to combat the crime.

The summit on theft reduction will be held from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in the council chambers at the Bensalem Township Administration Building at 2400 Byberry Rd.

Watch the video below to learn more about the comprehensive plan to reduce shoplifting.

Public Safety Director William McVey said that retail thefts are not unique to the township, southeastern Pennsylvania, and the nation.

"There's a giant influx of retail theft over 30 percent nationally," McVey said.

He said that Bensalem has experienced a 35 percent increase in retail crimes over the past two years, hence the summit being presented in collaboration with the township's Economic Development Commission.

"We want to put an end to stealing in Bensalem," McVey said. "We want to collaborate with businesses. We're seeing some reductions in crime, but this has steadily climbed. Since COVID, it hasn't stopped."

McVey said that some retailers have taken away the rights of employees to report such crimes.

"Some stores worry about the liability of stopping people," he said. "As a law-abiding citizen, that bothers me."

McVey hopes to establish a network between the police department and businesses to report the crimes since many criminals steal merchandise from the same stores like Kohl's, Lowe's, Home Depot, and others.

The target audience for the summit is retailers who have experienced retail crimes.

"We want to help and equip these businesses," McVey said. "We want to give them different avenues to report crime and reduce loss. We want to make our community safer."

He said the program has the backing of the mayor, the council, and EDC.

Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo is expected to outline his vision at the summit. McVey and an expert from the police department's detective division are also expected to speak along with a member of the Bucks County District Attorney's Office.

The police department is currently seeking suspects for several retail thefts this month.

Anyone with questions or who would like to register for the summit should send an email to Robert.norkus@bensalemedc.org or call 484-354-0287.