Everon Appointed to NASPO Supplier Advisory Group

Leading integrator deepens engagement with public procurement sector, advances industry through strategic supplier collaboration.

Irving, TX. [February 17, 2026] – Everon, LLC (“Everon” or “the Company”), a leading security integrator and premier provider of commercial security, video, fire and life safety solutions ranked the third-largest security company in the U.S. by SDM Magazine, announced today its appointment to the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) Supplier Advisory Group (SAG) for the 2026–2027 term. Everon joins a select cohort of suppliers chosen to provide feedback, advice, and strategic counsel to NASPO leadership on critical issues shaping public procurement and cooperative purchasing.

NASPO’s Supplier Advisory Group brings together a diverse group of suppliers representing key industries that support state and local government operations. Members serve two-year terms and engage with NASPO leadership both virtually and in person to share insights on contract terms and conditions, solicitation processes, market trends, and opportunities to advance the value of cooperative purchasing programs nationwide.

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Retail Crime at Outdoor Shopping Centers
Security Considerations in Outdoor Shopping Centers as Crime Patterns Evolve

By the D&D Daily staff

Outdoor shopping centers — often referred to as open-air lifestyle centers or strip centers — have become a dominant format in many suburban and mixed-use developments. Blending retail, dining and entertainment with walkable layouts, these properties typically lack the centralized entrances and enclosed corridors found in traditional malls. While that design appeals to consumers, it also presents unique considerations for loss prevention and asset protection professionals.

Unlike enclosed malls, outdoor centers generally feature multiple points of entry and direct storefront access from parking areas. This open configuration can create challenges around surveillance coverage, coordinated response and consistent enforcement of security policies. Retailers operate with varying security postures, and shared common areas are often managed by property owners or third-party firms, requiring close collaboration across stakeholders.

Recent retail crime trends — including organized retail theft, vehicle-based “boosting” crews and grab-and-run incidents — have prompted many outdoor center operators to take a closer look at their security strategies. Parking lots and perimeter roadways can provide quick exit routes, increasing the importance of proactive deterrence and rapid communication between tenants and on-site security.

In response, some outdoor shopping centers are investing in expanded camera networks with license plate recognition, improved lighting design and upgraded signage to reinforce deterrence messaging. Real-time crime centers or centralized monitoring hubs are also becoming more common, allowing property management teams to coordinate with local law enforcement and individual retailers more efficiently.

Tenant collaboration has emerged as a critical component of effective crime prevention in open-air environments. Regular security meetings, shared incident reporting platforms and standardized communication protocols help reduce information silos. Some centers have implemented digital alert systems that notify neighboring stores when suspicious activity is observed, improving situational awareness across the property.

Environmental design principles also play a role. Clear sightlines, strategic landscaping and thoughtful placement of seating and gathering areas can reduce concealment opportunities while maintaining the welcoming atmosphere that lifestyle centers aim to provide.

As consumer preferences continue to favor convenience and accessibility, outdoor shopping centers are likely to remain a key retail format. For asset protection leaders, balancing open design with layered security measures — while preserving the customer experience — will remain an ongoing priority.


Theft-Prevention is Central to Target's Turnaround
Are Target’s store investments enough to turn its experience around?

Additional labor hours could help the mass merchant overcome some in-store challenges like poor in-stock rates and long checkout lines, experts say.

Target is now working toward Fiddelke’s goal with a plan to invest more into store payrolls with an eye on adding more labor hours and improving the customer experience. Target’s effort includes new customer experience training for every employee at every store.

The change is not without cost. Target is eliminating about 100 roles at the store district level and 400 supply chain-related roles as part of the effort, but experts see this as a move in the right direction.

The additional labor hours could help Target overcome some of its major in-store challenges, such as poor in-stock rates and long checkout lines, without cutting into the speed of its store-based fulfillment options. Its new training will play a role as well, provided the district-level cuts don’t dampen its impact.

More labor hours could also help Target solve other problems, like reducing theft, according to Nikki Baird, vice president of strategy and product at Aptos Retail.

“I cheer this,” Baird said in an email. “They need more cashiers, and they need more people in the aisle, especially in areas that are both high-value sales and high-theft targets. Alcohol, electronics, small appliances, beauty, health.”  retaildive.com


Anti-Theft Measures & Customer Impact
Home Depot Checkout Rules Spark Shopper Questions After Locked Displays
You walk into Home Depot expecting a quick grab-and-go, but now locked displays, extra receipt checks, and new self-checkout rules change how quietly you shop. The store says these steps cut theft and protect staff, but they also slow you down and raise questions about convenience.

Shoppers now face locked cases, more staff interventions, and changing self-checkout layouts that affect speed, privacy, and purchase certainty. These measures aim to prevent organized retail crime while introducing new steps at the register and kiosks.

Home Depot and other retailers increasingly perform receipt checks and may verify devices when customers exit, especially in high-theft locations. These checks can include scanning a receipt, matching items to a transaction, or confirming a mobile payment on a phone.

Where kiosks remain, Home Depot has introduced systems that lock carts, use video monitoring, and run AI alerts to flag suspicious actions.

These changes aim to preserve convenience while curbing losses, but they alter the self-checkout experience: shoppers may face longer lines, more manual checks, or required attendant assistance. Associates trained in both theft prevention and customer interaction help keep the process fast and less invasive for honest customers.  aol.com


California's Crime Crackdown Continues
Governor Newsom awards $107 million to prevent gun violence and improve community safety across state
With the most recent data showing that violent crime is down 12% in California’s major cities, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that an additional $107 million is being awarded to communities to prevent gun violence and reduce crime. With 42 grants to cities, counties, community-based organizations, and tribal governments across California, this funding, known as the California Violence Intervention and Prevention (CalVIP) Grant Program, will support proven, community-driven strategies to reduce shootings, homicides, and retaliatory violence.

Enacted in 2019, the state’s total investment for the CalVIP Program is more than $350 million, stopping more than 30,000 incidents of violence before they happened, as reported by grantees. In addition, these grants in total have helped more than 18,500 participants complete violence intervention programs.

This fifth round of funding that’s being awarded supports programs that include trauma-informed intervention, credible messenger street outreach, wraparound services for families at risk, and intensive case management for youth and adults most impacted by violence. gov.ca.gov


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