The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association is celebrating Pennsylvania’s continued investment in the fight against organized retail crime.
The 2025-26 state budget includes another 2.7 million dollars for the Organized Retail Crime Unit in the Office of Attorney General Dave Sunday. This marks the second consecutive year of dedicated funding, following the initial 2.7 million dollar appropriation in the 2024 to 2025 budget.
Since launching last year, the Organized Retail Crime Unit has taken on complex theft rings operating across Pennsylvania and beyond. These networks have driven significant losses for retailers of every size, threatened store employees and pushed stolen goods into organized fencing and reselling schemes.
PFMA thanks Gov. Josh Shapiro for signing the budget and the legislature for continuing to support this work with a second year of investment. PFMA also extended its appreciation to Attorney General Dave Sunday and the agents in the Organized Retail Crime Unit for their commitment to protecting stores, workers and customers across the state.
PFMA President and CEO Alex Baloga said the renewed investment reflects real momentum.
“For years our members were up against theft rings that operated like full criminal enterprises. They targeted everything from steaks to infant formula and pushed it through online resellers or fences. These groups used intimidation and violence, they exploited vulnerable people, and they left retailers feeling outmatched,” Baloga shared.
“This unit changed the dynamic. Attorney General Dave Sunday and his team have built a coordinated statewide response that finally meets the scale of the threat. Seeing continued funding in the 2025-26 budget shows that Governor Shapiro and the legislature understand how vital this work is. PFMA is proud to stand with them and with law enforcement across Pennsylvania to protect workers, customers and local businesses.”
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