BEND, Ore. – Retail theft has been steadily increasing in Bend over the last four years, prompting local law enforcement to collaborate with business owners in an effort to address the growing issue. Deschutes County law enforcement has organized a series of listening sessions this month, giving retailers the opportunity to share their experiences and work directly with police to find solutions.
Leah Cassidy, the owner of Lulu’s Boutique, expressed the personal toll the rise in theft has taken on her business. “Unfortunately, the last few people we have caught are customers we’ve been helping for quite a while. So we take it very personally,” Cassidy said.
The listening sessions are designed to do more than simply hear complaints. Bend police are working with business owners to identify repeat offenders, track down high-level thieves, and improve the overall handling of theft cases. Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz emphasized that the increase in shoplifting over the past four years has turned the issue into a significant concern. “We’re working with retailers to identify groups or individuals who participate in high levels of retail theft and really turn this into a business,” Chief Krantz said during a recent session.
Cassidy is hopeful that these sessions and the increased collaboration between law enforcement and businesses will make a difference. She appreciated the direct communication line with the police, noting, “I love that they’re making this effort. I’ve got everybody’s phone number because it seems to be a lot of repeat offenders, and getting ideas and sharing information and working with the police – the more communication, the better.”
Police stress that reporting thefts is essential to curbing the problem. Chief Krantz pointed out that some retailers avoid reporting thefts due to internal company policies. “Communication is only as good as it’s shared,” he said. “We want people to report the crime. Sometimes retailers write it off or have a company policy that says they shouldn’t report the crime, which is surprising to me. But we do want people to report it.”
As Bend continues to grow, Cassidy hopes that these proactive efforts will help prevent theft from worsening. “I’m just hopeful that it doesn’t get worse. I don’t know if it’s going to get better, but I know Bend is growing. So if we can just stay ahead of the curve, I think it’ll be great,” she said.
With local law enforcement and businesses working together, Bend’s hope is to curb the rise in retail theft and ensure the city remains a safe and welcoming place for residents and visitors alike.
