Dollar losses from crimes against U.S. jewelry firms decreased by 25.9% from 2017 to 2018, hitting record lows, according to the Jewelers’ Security Alliance’s 2018 Annual Crime Report.
Losses declined to $53.4 million in 2018 from $72.1 million in 2017. The 2018 figure represents a 75% decline in dollar losses since 1999 on an inflation-adjusted basis.
“Due to support from the industry, JSA has been able to add substantial resources to its crime analysis and intelligence capability, its reward program and its crime information-sharing effectiveness,” said John Kennedy, JSA president. “In addition to informing the industry with frequent Crime Alerts, JSA shares detailed intelligence information regarding jewelry gangs, suspects and crime patterns with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, both here and abroad, on a daily basis. JSA receives countless messages of thanks from law enforcement personnel for information that has helped in their investigations, and from jewelers who have prevented crimes.”
JSA’s Report indicated both the ups and downs of U.S. jewelry crime statistics for 2018:
- The total number of crimes increased from 1,394 in 2017 to 1,441 in 2018.
- Dollar losses from off-premises crimes (such as against traveling salespersons or losses at shows) decreased from $18.1 million in 2017 to $7.2 million in 2018, a record low since at least the 1980s.
- Smash-and-grab robberies rose from 71 in 2017 to 129 in 2018, an increase of 81.6%, while arrests of smash-and-grab jewelry criminals increased from 28 in 2017 to 65 in 2018.
- One jeweler was killed during a robbery in 2018, tied for a record low since 1980, compared to five in 2017.
- Jewelers in mall locations experienced 66.4% of all on-premises crimes in 2018, compared to the crimes at all locations such as strip centers, downtown locations or standalone stores.
- Grab-and-runs were the most frequently reported crime, with 641 cases.
Kennedy said, “A big advance in JSA’s work, and an important element in the reduction in crime, has been JSA’s growing ability to map crime patterns and target hot spots, and to work with multiple law enforcement agencies spanning many states and jurisdictions to coordinate information sharing on suspects and gangs. When JSA sees a crime pattern emerging, JSA is able to be all over it. Information goes out to JSA’s Members, to the broader industry, to the trade media, and a dialogue is opened with the relevant FBI or other law enforcement personnel, including agencies in other countries.”
Get a copy of the full report here.
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JSA is a non-profit trade association providing crime prevention information and services to the jewelry industry.
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.
