WASHINGTON -- The National Retail Federation here and the Retail Industry Leaders Association, Arlington, Va., in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation here, yesterday announced the launch of a secure national database on retail crime. Called the Law Enforcement Retail Partnership Network (LERPnet), the database, which goes live April 9, will allow retailers to share information on criminal activity in their stores through a Web-based network. LERPnet is designed to help retailers and law enforcement fight back against illegal activity including organized retail crime, burglaries, robberies, counterfeiting, and online auction fraud. “Organized theft rings steal billions of dollars of merchandise every year, which victimizes retailers, endangers the safety of retail employees, and raises the price of consumer goods,” said Joseph LaRocca, NRF vice president of loss prevention, in a statement. “With this system, retailers are banding together with law enforcement to send a clear message to criminals: We will not tolerate your behavior and we will stop you.”
