Douglas County passes measure requiring retailers to report crime

Douglas County Commissioners Pass New Retail Theft Reporting Measure

On Tuesday, Douglas County commissioners approved a new measure that will require retail stores in unincorporated parts of the county to report theft incidents to law enforcement. Unlike the initial version of the law that proposed fines for non-compliance, the county has decided to leave any enforcement decisions to local courts.

The original version of the law had raised concerns in the business community, with fines ranging from $50 to $1,000 for businesses failing to report crimes. Commissioner Abe Laydon emphasized that the ordinance aims to enhance community safety rather than punish retailers.

The updated ordinance extends the reporting timeframe from 24 hours to 96 hours and allows retailers to submit reports online. This adjustment addressed concerns raised by Chris Howes, president of the Colorado Retail Council, who stated that the focus on combating retail crime will benefit businesses.

District Attorney George Brauchler emphasized the zero-tolerance policy towards theft. Sheriff Darren Weekly highlighted the importance of holding employers accountable for policies that hinder theft reporting and may lead to retaliation against employees.

The new measure will come into effect on April 4, focusing on combating the underreporting of retail crime in the county.