Fighting Retail Crime in Utah

What’s happening:

Taylorsville Police Chief Brady Cottam says organized retail crime (ORC) is keeping officers busy and driving up costs for consumers — even if it doesn’t always make headlines.

Why it matters:

ORC drains local police resources and impacts prices across communities. With major retailers like Target and Walmart in Taylorsville, Cottam says the issue is both local and regional — requiring coordination across city lines.

Big picture:

• Collaboration across jurisdictions and with retailers has improved thanks to shared radio and report systems.

• But the biggest challenge? Staying focused amid competing priorities like violent crime.

• Cottam calls for an “old school” approach — more community awareness and willingness to speak up.

The takeaway:

Combating ORC isn’t just a police issue — it takes partnerships, technology, and a watchful public to make a real dent.