Retail & Vehicle Theft Prevention

Overview

In September 2023, the City of Jurupa Valley secured a $2.2 million Organized Retail Theft Prevention (ORTP) Grant in partnership with the Riverside County Sheriff's Office. This comprehensive program addresses organized retail theft, motor vehicle theft and catalytic converter theft to enhance public safety and protect local businesses throughout Jurupa Valley.

Several key components of this program include:

  • *Advanced Surveillance Network: Installation of 90 cameras equipped with Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology throughout the City to monitor and deter criminal activity. These cameras provide real-time investigative tools by identifying vehicles connected to crimes, tracking their routes and sending alerts to the Riverside County Sheriff's Office for faster investigations.
  • Jurupa Valley Vehicle Theft Task Force: A specialized unit within the Riverside County Sheriff's Office dedicated to investigating and combating motor vehicle and catalytic converter theft.
  • Small Business Retail Theft Prevention (SBRTP) Program: Provides local businesses with training, educational materials and resources to combat organized retail theft and strengthen community-wide prevention efforts.

*ALPR cameras only capture and process license plates — no facial recognition or personal identification. All ALPR data is securely stored and accessible only to authorized law enforcement personnel. The City follows all applicable privacy laws and guidelines to ensure responsible use of technology.

For urgent or life-threatening situations, call 911

For questions on theft prevention:

Organized Retail Theft
Deputy Butler
Nlbutler@RiversideSheriff.org

Vehicle or Catalytic Converter Theft
Deputy Lenahan
Dlenahan@RiversideSheriff.org

To schedule an evaluation of your business:
Kevin Ryan
Theft Prevention Coordinator
KRyan@JurupaValley.org
951-332-6464 ext. 143

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Program Success

Since the ALPR camera network went online in July 2024, the program has achieved remarkable results including 134 arrests made and more than $3.3 million in stolen property recovered. The program’s first year saw several major case successes:

  • Tool Retailer Robbery: 2 suspects identified and second attempt prevented.
  • Mattress Firm Theft: Arrests made with $9,000+ in merchandise recovered.
  • Chop Shop Discovery: Illegal operation in San Bernardino County identified and shut down.
  • Gang-Related Attempted Homicide: Suspect vehicle identified, leading to arrest.
  • Illegal Firearms Manufacturer: Suspect identified and arrested.
  • Methamphetamine Distribution: Large-scale distributor arrested with over 1lb of meth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Tips

For helpful tips on prevention, click the Retail Theft or Vehicle and Catalytic Converter Theft tabs below.

  1. Retail Theft
  2. Vehicle and Catalytic Converter Theft

To prevent retail theft, be on the lookout for:

  • Customers with bulky clothing, large bags or backpacks that could conceal merchandise.
  • Nervous behavior, wandering eyes or loitering in less visible areas of your store.
  • Groups working together where one person distracts while others take items.
  • Open packages, purses or shopping bags being carried through your store.

Be mindful of the following trends:

  • "Grab and run" thefts targeting items near store exits and/or occurring when stores are busy and staff is preoccupied (particularly in stores without security guards or entrance alarms).
  • Use of lined bags or containers with false bottoms to defeat security sensors.
  • Organized groups targeting high-value, easily resold items like electronics and cosmetics.
  • Thieves working in pairs where one person distracts staff while another steals merchandise.
  • Price switching where tags are swapped from cheaper items onto more expensive products.
  • Concealment methods using clothing, purchased items, handbags, strollers and even shoes to hide stolen goods.

Take Action


✔️Complete a Free Business Security Assessment*.
✔️Prioritize proper lighting: Effective lighting is the first line of defense against criminal activity. Make sure your storefront and all sides of your building are well lit and keep interior lights on after hours.
✔️Enhance visibility: Keep counters waist-high or lower and install mirrors in corners to eliminate blind spots.
✔️Secure your windows: Keep them clean and free of posters that block visibility into your store.
✔️Control store layout: Arrange counters so there's no direct route to exits. Place expensive items away from doors.
✔️Install surveillance systems: Place cameras inside and outside; ensure 24/7 operation with 30-day storage capacity for footage.
✔️Train employees: Staff should know how to spot scams such as price switching and false returns, understand anti-theft protocols including bag size restrictions and know when to alert police, security or management without approaching suspected shoplifters.
✔️Maintain inventory control: Conduct frequent, unexpected inventory checks and limit employee access to stock.
✔️Display theft deterrence: Post surveillance warning signs and show live camera footage throughout the store.
✔️Leverage anti-theft technology: Consider Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) systems, Radio Frequency Identification (RDID) tags and Bluetooth-activated padlocks for electronics.
✔️Use customer service as prevention: Greet all customers immediately. Acknowledging customers can deter shoplifters who prefer to remain unnoticed.
✔️Ask customers if they need assistance: Show potential shoplifters that you are attentive.
✔️Maintain adequate staffing: Maintain enough staff on the sales floor so thieves will be less likely to steal, especially during busy periods.

Additional Resources