The Jewelers Security Alliance reports that the number of crimes against U.S. jewelers fell to 1,621 in 2023, a 26.7% decrease from the previous year.
At the same time, the total dollar losses from crimes against U.S. jewelry firms reported to JSA was $133.2 million, a 2.9% increase from 2022.
The crime category that experienced the greatest reduction in 2023 was grab-and-run thefts. The number of grab-and-runs declined from 984 in 2022 to 663 in 2023.
“The reduction in the use of face masks, which had become more prevalent as a result of Covid, has made it more difficult for criminals to disguise themselves with masks,” JSA stated in an executive summary of its just-released annual crime report.
According to JSA, while the number of crimes requiring minimal skills by criminals and resulting in relatively small losses declined in 2023, the increase in dollar losses “can be attributed to highly professional criminals and organized gangs carrying out high-dollar crimes resulting in large losses.”
The number of off-premises crimes reported to JSA increased from 65 in 2022 to 100 in 2023. Dollar losses from off-premises crimes reported to JSA in 2023 was $40.4 million. That amounted to an increase of 112.6% from $19 million reported in 2022.
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Four Decades of Excellence: How Wilkerson Transformed a Jeweler's Retirement into Celebration
After 45 years serving the Milwaukee community, Treiber & Straub Jewelers owner Michael Straub faced a significant life transition. At 75, the veteran jeweler made a personal decision many business owners understand: "I think it's time. I want to enjoy my wife with my grandchildren for the next 10, 15 years."
Wilkerson's expertise transformed this major business transition into an extraordinary success. Their comprehensive approach to managing the going-out-of-business sale created unprecedented customer response—with lines forming outside the store and limits on how many shoppers could enter at once due to fire safety regulations.
The results exceeded all expectations. "Wilkerson did a phenomenal job," Straub enthuses. "They were there for you through the whole thing, helped you with promoting it, helping you on day-to-day business. I can't speak enough for how well they did." The partnership didn't just facilitate a business closing; it created a celebratory finale to decades of service while allowing Straub to confidently step into his well-earned retirement.
