A
little over six years ago Karl Langhorst, joined Kroger as
their first ever corporate Senior Director of Loss
Prevention and as you might imagine starting an LP effort
for a 2,500+ store chain has been a herculean effort. From
establishing the model to building the various functions and
teams, it's been a huge task and one that's been very
successful for the Kroger organization. Early on Karl
recognized the need for a highly structured and very
professional national ORC effort. And four years ago he
hired Denny Dansak, who had just retired as a Supervisory
Special Agent from the U.S. Attorney General's office as a
special agent managing the investigative efforts for their
organized crime, counter terrorism, and narcotics efforts
throughout a five state region.
As Kroger's first senior corporate manager for ORC Denny
faced many of the same challenges Karl did when he first
started at Kroger. From having to establish credibility,
building the ORC national model, ensuring the return on
their investment, and integrating the Kroger effort
throughout the entire retail community. Denny walked into
virtually a non-existent program and over the last four
years has built one of leading ORC efforts in North America.
Under Karl's direction and support Denny and his team have
shown this retailer the benefits and impact that a national
ORC program can bring to an organization.
Starting with just two team members and now numbering over
20 managers around the country this ORC program has quickly
become one of the Best-in-Class models in the nation
focusing on building the partnerships between the retailers
and law enforcement and educating law enforcement as well.
As a subject matter expert in organized crime Denny has
seamlessly transitioned from the public law enforcement
community and has been able to prove to this retailer that
their investment in their ORC effort has paid dividends.
From decreasing the shrinkage in the impacted markets to
making the stores safer for the employees and customers.
Kroger's ORC team is making an impact and helping the entire
retail community.
In working with him directly over the last four years I
think we can all see the two reasons that drive their
success. First, the vision and support Karl has shown and
given to the program and second Denny's genuine and humble
desire to make a difference and make the retail stores a
safer place for everyone.
Over the last few days we've all read about the recent
Middletown, Ohio ORC ring that was broken up and Denny
helped lead the way in that investigation right there in
Kroger's back yard in the Dayton, Ohio area. And last night
Denny was featured on their local news station. You'll find
the article and clip below for those of you that didn't get
to see it.
Job Well Done Denny - Thanks for your efforts and thanks for
joining the retail Loss Prevention industry.
Inside Kroger's organized retail crime unit
This week, Dansak took WLWT News 5 inside the Kroger in
Middletown. He explained, just like they do in bigger
cities, crooks are ripping off stores right here in the
Tri-state -- stores that everyone shops at, like Kroger,
CVS, Wal-Mart, Meijer and Lowes, among others. What drives
the booster, the products he steals and boosts from the
stores, is dictated by what the consumers want to buy,"
Dansak said. Tide, liquor, Red Bull, batteries, Crest
Whitestrips and over-the-counter medicine are some of the
more popular items that are being swiped from store shelves.
Because the goal is to keep the customer happy and prices
down, Kroger has partnered with other retailers and law
enforcement officers. In the last six weeks, Kroger,
Middletown police, CVS and about a dozen other agencies
worked together to nab about 100 boosters. They said the
criminals were brazen and often worked in teams. They would
load up their carts and head out the door to a getaway car.
What concerns Dansak is that some of the items that are
being stolen and then resold are perishables, like baby
formula. If they're not stored at a proper temperature or
stored in an area that is not clean and being sold by the
fence, it is a safety issue for the consumer," said Dansak.
Middletown police said the partnership between law
enforcement and retailers is only going to get stronger and
they warn thieves that the crackdown has just begun.
(Source
wlwt.com)
