There’s a lot going on in the world of physical risk and vulnerability; it’s nearly impossible to keep up with the latest news and developments. We’ll keep you informed with the best content to keep your organization safe and secure. Check out the top news and headlines from the past month.
Crime is down in the first half of 2024
From the Council on Criminal Justice: A study from the Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ) reports that crime is down for the first half of 2024. The study, which examines monthly crime rates for 12 violent, property, and drug offenses in 39 American cities found that most violent crimes have fallen to or below pre-pandemic levels. Shoplifting, however, is on the rise.
Our take: It’s heartening to see crime rates drop, especially murder and other violent crimes, which were boosted by the stress of the pandemic. We hope that security professionals are able to take this breather and get proactive about preventing crime. However, retail theft is still a problem, which brings us to our next story.
7-Eleven in San Pedro ransacked in flash-mob robbery
From the Daily Breeze: A 7-Eleven in San Pedro was robbed and ransacked by a large crowd overnight, authorities said, the latest in a string of flash-mob robberies that led a city councilman to call for additional police patrols and other emergency resources. Around 2 a.m. on Saturday, August 24, police responded to a disturbance at the 7-Eleven. A group of 30-50 people took about $40,000 worth of items, including $1,000 in cigarettes and $20,000 in lottery tickets. Footage from inside the store showed merchandise and displays strewn across the floor.
Our take: Retail crime, specifically organized retail crime, has been on the uptick for years now. So have related crimes, like street takeovers. While California is attempting to amend the law that made retail crime more common, attacks like this one are battering businesses all over the country.
Wisconsin Principal Faces Felony Charge for Allegedly Concealing School Gun Incident
From Campus Safety Magazine: A former Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) principal faces criminal charges for misconduct in public office for not telling law enforcement about an incident at school involving an 11-year-old student who pointed a gun at a classmate. The incident happened on February 15 at Thurston Woods School, which is a K-4 through K-8 campus, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Prosecutors say a student brought a gun to school, pointed it at another student, and pulled the trigger, but it didn’t go off.
Our take: The principal in question did bring the gun to the police, but allegedly said it was found in the bushes. This is a gross mishandling of the situation. There is absolutely no reason not to report a child who has brought a gun to school — and attempted to fire it at a classmate — to the authorities. The child may try to do the same thing again, with tragic consequences.
FBI Dismantles Radar/Dispossessor Ransomware Group’s Cybercrime Infrastructure
From CPO Magazine: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and its European partner law enforcement agencies have dismantled the online cybercrime infrastructure of an emerging ransomware group called Radar/Dispossessor. The Radar/Dispossessor ransomware group targets healthcare, financial services, education, and transportation sector organizations, usually small and mid-sized businesses. Cybersecurity experts believe that Radar and Dispossessor are two distinct cybercrime groups that share internal tools and divide profits.
Our take: Ransomware has been plaguing businesses, state agencies, and vital infrastructure for years, so it’s good to see government agencies striking back. That said, the development of ransomware as a service and other similar schemes means that criminals who have not had access to ransomware are now able to launch their own attacks. It will be interesting to see if these takedowns have an effect on the number of attacks we’ve been experiencing.
Four charged in PPP fraud scheme
From Long Island Business News: Three Long Islanders, including an NYPD detective, are among the four charged in federal court in Brooklyn Monday in a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud scheme, officials said. The four are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to Breon Peace, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York. The charges involve engaging in a scheme to submit fraudulent applications for loans under the U.S. Small Business Administration PPP program, which Congress created under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES, Act.
Our take: It’s been four years, but people are still trying to commit PPP fraud. This case is just one of several PPP fraud cases that are occurring throughout the US. PPP loans are meant to help small businesses, but the defendants in these cases have been fraudulently submitting loan applications and taking that money for themselves.
August Top Security Grants
Fiscal Year 2024 Next Generation Warning System: Having in place a secure and effective system for warning and informing the public of impending natural and man-made disasters is an essential part of America's emergency preparedness. FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) is the national system for local alerting that provides authenticated emergency and life-saving information to the public. Local radio and TV stations, along with cable, direct broadcast satellite, and wireless service providers disseminate the public safety messages they receive from IPAWS. This grant supports projects that aid in creating and maintaining a resilient public alert and warning system that provides timely and effective warnings, especially including areas that are traditionally underserved by broadcast providers. This public alert and warning system is built on the Common Alerting Protocol standard (CAP) that permits a single CAP compatible message to activate multiple compliant warning systems and a station's ability to maintain continuity of operations during emergencies. Grant closes: September 18, 2024
Fiscal Year 2024 Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Swift Current: This grant aims to better align the delivery of FMA flood mitigation funding to the disaster survivor experience. The purpose of FMA Swift Current is to reduce or eliminate the flood risk to NFIP-participating communities and repetitive flood damage to structures and buildings insured by the NFIP following a flood-related disaster event, and to enhance community flood resilience within NFIP-participating communities. It does so by providing funding for mitigation opportunities immediately after a flood disaster event with the aim of delivering mitigation outcomes. Grant closes: January 15, 2026
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