Retail crime task force proposed in response to Fred Meyer closures in western WA
Local leaders address retail theft
Multiple Fred Meyer stores will be shutting their doors this fall in western Washington, with the company blaming it on a steady rise in theft.
KENT, Wash. - A permanent retail crime task force is being proposed to address retail theft in King County, in response to Kroger shutting down grocery stores in western Washington.
King County Council member Claudia Balducci, Kent Mayor Dana Ralph and former King County Sheriff Sue Rahr held a joint press conference on Thursday to unveil the proposal.
Former King County Sheriff Sue Rahr (left), King County Council member Claudia Balducci (middle), Kent Mayor Dana Ralph (right).
The task force would include two detectives and one prosecuting attorney dedicated to directly addressing the causes and responding to retail theft.
Balducci says funding would come from the recently adopted county sales tax, and she estimates the program would cost $600,000.
The backstory:
This comes after Kroger recently announced plans to close six Fred Meyer locations in western Washington, including in Kent, Everett, Tacoma, Redmond and Seattle.
The company cited "a steady rise in theft" as one of its reasons for shutting down the stores, despite crime data showing a decline in shoplifting at some of the closing locations.
The announcement of the closures has some in disbelief.
"It's sad," said Joseph Rodgers, who lives near the Fred Meyer in Kent. "It's the only store convenient to us."
The Source: Information in this story came from Fred Meyer and FOX 13 Seattle reporting.
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