Last updated on December 4th, 2023 at 02:33 pm
The New Jersey Food Council, 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 Nov. 2 at the 2023 NJFC Mid-Atlantic Loss Prevention Conference and Expo.
Under the theme of “Protecting Our Communities and Preventing Loss,” the NJFC’s annual conference focused on important loss prevention issues retailers face, including an update on evolving concealed carry laws, a firsthand account of a members’ active shooter crisis, effective de-escalation tactics and a dive into organized retail crime and how retailers are fighting this threat.
“With an increase in not only theft but also in violent incidents, this is a critical time to share insight and collaborate in order to protect our communities and prevent loss,” said NJFC President and CEO Linda Doherty.
“We are here to help the retail loss prevention community tackle progressive security issues, share information regarding the latest security trends and network with law enforcement officials and partners.”
Ed Rohena of ACME/Albertsons MidAtlantic Division, who chaired the conference, led the annual presentation of the 2023 New Jersey Food Council Mid-Atlantic Loss Prevention Professional Awards.
2023 New Jersey Food Council Mid-Atlantic Loss Prevention Professional Awards
Mike Murphy of Retail Business Services, an Ahold Delhaize Co.
Murphy is the investigations specialist assigned to Stop and Shop & Hannaford locations in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. He has worked in the asset protection field for more than 20 years.
Murphy assists with the identification of suspects and partners with other retailers to identify and dismantle organized retail crime groups impacting the Ahold Delhaize brands. Murphy is an active member of the NJFC’s Loss Prevention committee as well as the newly-invigorated Organized Retail Theft Taskforce.
Dawn Roller of Brown’s ShopRite Super Stores
Dawn Roller has more than 28 years of experience in loss prevention and management positions. As director of loss prevention at Brown’s ShopRite Super Stores, she has experience in loss prevention work for the retail and food retail industries.
Roller is chair of the PFMA’s loss prevention committee, with accomplishments in reducing shrink and increasing investigation efficiency, while also working with her counterparts to make a greater influence in the community.
Amanda Hobert of Lowes
Amanda Hobert, the regional investigations manager for Lowes, is a certified forensic interviewer with more than 15 years of experience in the loss prevention industry. Hobert specializes in organized retail crime and fraud.
Hobert serves as a board member and president of Metro Organized Retail Crime Alliance (METRORCA), which serves New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
2023 Retail Law Enforcement Achievement Award
Two law enforcement professionals, whose work serves as a blueprint for effective public/private partnerships and the building of relationships with the retail community, were honored with the 2023 Retail Law Enforcement Achievement Award.
Daniel Inman
Hamilton police Det. Daniel Inman is relied upon to assist in resolving habitual shoplifting and large-scale organized retail crime cases. He is recognized and respected throughout Mercer County, honored with the Officer of the Year, 200 Club of Mercer County Valor Award and the Edgar J. Hoover Award.
“My personal experience with Detective Inman has been nothing short of outstanding and productive,” Rohena said. “A particular show of his support is during the holidays when he would stop by to make sure the store closed without incident and the associates were safe.”
Inman’s experience and resources helped develop three organized crime cases totaling more than $140,000. “Identifying and linking the key players would not have been possible without Detective Inman,” Rohena said, adding the detective’s approach toward helping retailers provide a safe shopping and working experience makes a difference every day.
Anthony Cureton
Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton, who has more than 33 years of experience in law enforcement, is the longtime president of the Bergen County Branch of the NAACP, has served on many community boards and has been honored by several community and civic organizations.
The sheriff teaches criminal justice at Ramapo College of New Jersey in Mahwah and Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck and is a guest lecturer at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
“Sheriff Cureton has a strong commitment to his community’s security and the safety and well-being of all of his residents,” said Andrew Kent of Glass Gardens ShopRite and NJFC board chair.
“He is invested in making a difference in the safety and mental and physical health of those in Bergen County. It is for his dedication to making New Jersey safer for associates, customers and businesses through outreach and education that I am honored to present Sheriff Cureton with this award.”
The NJFC’s next event is its holiday reception on Dec. 6. Funds raised will support the Educational Scholarship Foundation. This year, the NJFC is launching the President’s Scholarship Award to honor Doherty, celebrating her 20th year as president and her 30th year with the association. The new scholarship commemorates these milestones, funded by an ad journal.
Read more association news from The Shelby Report.
