FCPD leads the fight against organized retail crime

Fairfax County, VA – As organized retail crime impacts local businesses in the National Capital Region, the FCPD continues to be on the front lines of fighting crime and employing proactive measures to protect the community, businesses and shoppers during the holiday season and year-round.

Mall Units: Protecting our malls

FCPD's Shopping Center Units (SCUs) are critical in combating organized retail crime. These units are stationed in major shopping areas such as Springfield Mall, Fair Oaks Mall and Tysons Corner Mall and work around the clock to dismantle criminal networks. Officers are working with businesses, loss prevention teams and local retailers to deter crime and maintain communication with frontline staff.

By maintaining a continuous presence in high-traffic areas, FCPD officers can identify trends and respond quickly to suspicious activity, preventing crimes before they occur. Detectives receive ongoing training to identify indicators of organized retail crime and national trends to enhance the safety of retail environments for residents and visitors.

Stolen merchandise recovered from mall units

Data-Driven Decision Making: Smarter Policing

FCPD uses data to improve operations. Weekly reviews of strategic crime data allow officers to track trends in organized retail crime and adjust resources accordingly. This strategic approach ensures officers are deployed to the right places at the right time, which has a significant impact on crime prevention.

Sharing our successes: Building partnerships across the region

FCPD actively shares best practices with neighboring law enforcement agencies to promote regional cooperation against organized retail crime. By training with other departments in data-driven tactics and deploying specialized units, FCPD improves overall community protection.

Go forward

FCPD is committed to innovation and collaboration in combating organized retail crime. By using advanced technology such as Such as license plate reading systems, the department improves its ability to identify and track vehicles linked to criminal activity. The shopping center units, data-driven strategies and partnerships with other law enforcement agencies position FCPD as a leader in the fight against organized retail crime.