Windsor police have good news in the battle involving the identifying and charging of shoplifters.
Windsor Police Deputy Chief Jason Crowley provided reporters with an update on its retail theft initiative during a media conference Tuesday at police headquarters.
Crowley said the techniques begun in 2024 have resulted in more suspects being identified and arrested.
"We had no suspects identified," said Crowley. "We didn't realize how many people were recidivous, or the same people stealing over and over again, or even how it impacted a small amount of businesses in Windsor and Essex County."
The service appointed an officer as a retail theft coordinator to concentrate on identifying patterns in shoplifting. Since the initiative was launched, 528 incidents were resolved, a 34 per cent improvement over the same period last year. Of those arrested, 45 per cent were repeat offenders.
During 2025, Windsor police have received 33 per cent fewer shoplifting complaints compared to the same period in 2024.
While shoplifting has always been an issue for businesses, Crowley said various factors have contributed to more reported incidents.
"For years, people have fed their addiction, and fed their whatever it is they require through petty theft, selling, pawning, and fencing, and things like that," said Crowley. "I think it's more expanded now with the social issues that we have. I think that's part of the issue."
Police have also credited an increase in online reporting of retail thefts for the program's success. The accessibility has led to a 95 per cent reporting compliance rate from local businesses, up from 79 per cent before the program began.
Windsor police are also working with other law enforcement agencies to break multi-jurisdictional theft rings, and have also enhanced a partnership with the Retail Council of Canada, a national advocacy group.