The Carolinas Organized Retail Crime Alliance is hosting its 9th Annual Conference

Law enforcement officers and retail loss prevention experts from across North and South Carolina gathered on Thursday, October 3, at the Hilton Charlotte Airport Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the 9th Annual Conference of the Carolinas Organized Retail Crime Alliance (CORCA). Administered by the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association, CORCA is a collaborative effort between retailers and law enforcement to combat organized retail crime.

Nearly 200 attendees were welcomed to the event by CORCA Vice President Michael Rimiller, LPC, Major Crimes Investigations Manager for Walgreens. Retail participants ranged from chain stores to retail outlets, including grocery, apparel, pharmacy, beauty, home improvement and general merchandise. Active participants also included police and sheriff's officials from throughout the Carolinas, as well as district attorneys.

Expert speakers covered a wide range of topics, including legislative updates in North and South Carolina, homeland security investigations, the connection between vehicle crime and ORC, key lessons learned in the shift from law enforcement to the private sector, and the perspectives of prosecutors in the Carolinas. Attendees also heard from several speakers, including federal, state and local law enforcement, as well as retailers from North and South Carolina, who shared first-hand knowledge of current organized retail crime trends, the methods learned to deter further losses, and the importance for law enforcement exchanges and retail to continue building a strong information sharing network.

Kicking off the afternoon sessions was the 2024 North and South Carolina Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Awards Ceremony. Officer Fred Sibby has been named the 2024 North Carolina Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. With nearly five years of law enforcement experience, Officer Sibby is with the Gastonia Police Department and has been involved in more than 15 ORC investigations in the past year, including playing a key role in a major investigation that unraveled one of the largest investigations organized retail thefts that spanned the entire district.

Investigator Ronnie Horn was named 2024 South Carolina Police Officer of the Year; He also won the award in 2023. Investigator Horn began his law enforcement career in 1978 and is currently assigned to the Spartanburg Police Department's Investigations Division. He is a strong partner in working with other jurisdictions on large-scale and repeat thefts. Both officers were praised for their partnership with retailers and their commitment to solving organized retail crime by arresting those responsible, holding them accountable and recovering stolen property.

This year, CORCA also presented a special award to recognize a federal partner who has been instrumental in combating ORC in the Carolinas. Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Willie Carswell has been named a 2024 CORCA Federal Partner. Special Agent Carswell has continually been instrumental in the successful identification, investigation, disruption and dismantling of major criminal organizations in the Carolinas.

The special awards ceremony featured members of the North Carolina General Assembly and a member of the South Carolina State House who were recognized as CORCA's 2024 Legislative Champions for their bipartisan efforts and diligent work in promoting and passing legislation to combat ORC. Members of the North Carolina General Assembly in attendance to accept their awards included Rep. Kevin Crutchfield (R-Cabarrus, Rowan) and Rep. Robert Reives (D-Chatham, Randolph).

Many of the award winners were unable to take part due to the storm operations following Hurricane Helene. Other honorees included Senators Danny Britt (R- Robeson, Hoke, Scotland), Dave Craven (R- Anson, Montgomery, Randolph, Richmond, Union), Tom McInnis (R- Cumberland, Moore) and Buck Newton (R – Greene, Wayne, Wilson) from the North Carolina Senate. Honorees recognized by the North Carolina House of Representatives were Charles Miller (R-Brunswick, New Hanover), Carson Smith (R-Pender, Onslow), Dudley Greene (R-McDowell, Avery, Mitchell, Yancey) and Reece Pyrtle (R-Rockingham) . Representative Jeff Johnson (R-Horry) from South Carolina was honored.

During breaks between training sessions and awards ceremonies, participants visited vendor exhibits. Representatives from supplier companies explained and demonstrated some of the latest product innovations, services and educational resources to help retailers and law enforcement agencies prevent ORC and apprehend offenders. CORCA was pleased to have participation from inVue, Motorola Solutions, Auror, 3Si, AJ2 Security and AXIS Communications.

CORCA is grateful for its partnerships and relies on the support of sponsors and vendor partners to provide an outstanding conference and other benefits throughout the year.

The 10th Annual CORCA Conference will take place September 24-25, 2025 at the Hilton Myrtle Beach in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Stay tuned to www.corca.org for more details.