ZeroEyes today announced its partnership with the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA), a group that advocates the views of the Commonwealth’s food and beverage industries. The pair will educate owners and workers of convenience stores, supermarkets, independent grocers, and more about the effects of gun-related violence and how to minimize loss prevention.
Retail crime continues to be a significant concern for PFMA member businesses. In Philadelphia, there has been a growing trend of violence as individuals involved in retail theft activity increasingly carry weapons and fight with staff when confronted. According to the ZeroEyes Gun Violence Research Center, 26% of gun-related incidents in Pennsylvania's retail industry are related to these illegal activities. This violence affects not only storefronts, but also retailers, manufacturers, and distributors.
"Retail crime is a growing concern nationwide, affecting store operations and community well-being," said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA. "The rise in incidents challenges the safety of both employees and customers, making security a top priority. We're pleased to welcome ZeroEyes to our association as we collaborate to address this issue and support our local businesses."
"The alarming increase in gun-related incidents in retail stores is a growing concern, particularly here in Pennsylvania," said Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes. "We are excited to join PFMA and support our local food merchants and raise awareness about innovative technologies that can help keep their staff and communities safe."
ZeroEyes will be hosting PFMA’s Loss Prevention Committee on September 18 from 11 AM to 1:30 PM to discuss issues such as organized retail crime, shared crime reporting, retail theft penalty legislation, law enforcement education initiatives, associate awareness programs, and store security strategies.
