SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Stores around Springfield are reporting an increase in products taken from their shelves. 

From January 2023 to May 2023, there were 514 reported incidents of retail thefts. In that time frame this year, 613 incidents have been reported. For the last two years, the Springfield Police Department has received grants from the Illinois Attorney General's office to combat organized retail crime. 

"We have used it for technology and also over time, we've had our detectives that have been working diligently on retail theft here in Springfield," said Sara Pickford, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Investigations division at the Springfield Police Department. "They organize details that utilize detectives and operations officers to try to combat the retail theft that's going on."

Some of the technology includes additional license plate readers, which have been placed strategically at retail establishments around Springfield to help with investigations. The department also pays for service called fūsusONE, which allows officers in their cars to monitor cameras around the city. This has helped officers track people throughout the city once they have stolen merchandise. 

"Through our investigations we're finding out that these groups come from Decatur, Peoria, Bloomington, or some from even out of state," said Pickford. "We have a great relationship with our surrounding communities like Bloomington like Peoria, and our detectives have, you know, they're in contact with detectives up there, and they can kind of help each other out."

Pickford said that in addition to the technology, there is a dedicated team of detectives who work on investigating retail theft reports. They are also creating connections with local stores and their management teams in order to find the best way to report and handle retail theft.

Tonight, Springfield City Council will discuss an emergency passage ordinance that would allow the Police Department to use $150,000 from the state retail theft grant to continue their subscription of fūsusONE.

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