The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC), in partnership with the New Jersey Retail Merchants Association, the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association and the Delaware Food Industry Council, addressed the most pressing security issues in the food industry at the 2024 Mid-Atlantic Loss Prevention Conference and Expo on October 30.

The annual conference focused on pertinent loss prevention issues retailers face today, including card skimming, gift card tampering, organized retail crime and potential civil unrest stemming from the upcoming Presidential election.

“This event is the ideal opportunity for the retail loss prevention community to tackle progressive security issues, share information on the latest security trends and network with law enforcement officials and partners,” said NJFC President & CEO Linda Doherty, noting the list of speakers represented the US Department of Homeland Security, the NYPD Financial Crimes Task Force and the NJ State Police.

“We are learning strategies to safeguard businesses and our communities. Now is the time for us to build bridges and ensure a community collaboration that fosters a safer future for Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania residents,” she added.

Ed Rohena of ACME/Albertsons MidAtlantic Division, who chaired the conference for the second year, led the annual presentation of the professional awards. Conference organizers recognized three retail loss prevention professionals and four outstanding law enforcement partners for keeping consumers, associates and businesses safe.

Loss Prevention Professional Awards are given to those who have made significant contributions to protect and promote retail security issues and worked for the best interest of retail security. Each association bestows one award.

The winners:

• The 2024 New Jersey Food Council Mid-Atlantic Loss Prevention Professional Award went to Laura Lasko of Wakefern Food Corp. She is a corporate retail asset protection manager, bringing more than 16 years of diverse experience in the retail grocery industry. She develops and implements preventative and compliance-based programs to safeguard company assets across Wakefern stores. Her responsibilities include planning, designing, and coordinating asset protection policies, procedures, and technology systems for all Wakefern entities.
• The 2024 Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association’s Loss Prevention Professional Award is given to Wade Hess, asset protection manager for Wegmans Food Markets. His leadership significantly enhances customer and staff safety and he has served as a model for the industry. Hess’s ability to work with law enforcement, as an ambassador for food retailers, has been invaluable. Hess also helped spearhead the push for Pennsylvania’s organized retail crime law, which went into effect in July.
• The 2024 New Jersey Retail Merchants Association Loss Prevention Professional Award was presented to Carolyn Doran, an organized retail crimes investigations manager for Ulta Beauty. She is widely known as a relentless and highly-effective investigator with the highest standards of integrity. Doran is also known for a rare combination of fearlessness and meticulousness in her approach to uncovering the depths of organized retail crime. She is also a board member for the Metro Organized Retail Crime Alliance.

Conference planners chose to honor four law enforcement individuals whose work serves as a blueprint for effective public/private partnerships and the building of relationships with the retail community.

The recipients:

• Mount Holly Police Sgt. Scott Bayley, who has served the Burlington County community for 25 years, investigated a significant theft of equipment at Albertsons Mid Atlantic Division, affecting operations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Bayley made an arrest, successfully recovering all stolen equipment. His commitment in resolving this crime, when others could not, is appreciated and admired.
• Cherry Hill Det. Robert Daniello, a 23-year veteran, has played a vital role in advancing his department’s retail theft consortium, which facilitates discussions on shared criminal activities and operational challenges related to theft. The detective serves in the Special Investigations Unit, comprising plainclothes and undercover detectives, and has traditionally focused on narcotics and prostitution investigations, as well as major crimes apprehensions. Since 2023, the unit has also been tasked with organized retail crime cases. Daniello recently conducted a two-day sting that targeted organized retail theft, netting 38 arrests and the recovery of approximately $10,000.
• West Windsor Police Chief Robert Garofalo, a 35-year police veteran, was honored for his leadership, community service, and dedication to public safety. His innovative Operation Lighthouse Social Media initiative has become a nationally recognized model for real-time information sharing, enhancing public safety far beyond traditional law enforcement. His efforts in the fight against cybercrime have garnered him recognition on a national stage, and his expertise in computer forensics has been sought in Superior courts and academic settings. Garofalo’s partnership with the retail community has been invaluable, creating a safe and secure environment for both shoppers and staff.
• Stacy Irving, Senior Advisor for Homeland Security Programs and Strategic Partnerships at the Delaware Valley Intelligence Center, has greatly contributed to the safety and security of staff and customers across Philadelphia and the surrounding region. She has coordinated such projects as the Philadelphia Police Department’s Retail Theft Initiative, now being implemented citywide and has resulted in more repeat offenders being arrested and prosecuted for retail theft. She manages hundreds of partnerships with retail stakeholders across Philadelphia, each with their own priorities and concerns.