Academy Sports Tackles Organized Retail Crime With Flock Safety

Academy Sports Looks for a Solution to Combat Organized Retail Crime

Academy Sports, one of the leading full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailers in the U.S., knew they needed to level up their existing security solution. Like many retailers across the country, they had been impacted by a rise in organized retail crime (ORC). Frank Sorgie, a senior manager of Loss Prevention at Academy Sports in Texas, said Flock Safety first caught his attention when he saw numerous social media posts about the Flock Safety solved stories. He was particularly intrigued by the partnership and sharing capabilities with law enforcement and having vehicle data that is a part of the NCIC database.

“Today, all retailers are competing to reach out to law enforcement for the help they need. We were the first to use a tool that turned out to be highly effective in strengthening our ties with them.” - Frank Sorgie, Senior Manager of Loss Prevention at Academy Sports

Academy Sports Combats Organized Retail Crime Through Flock Safety

Academy Sports decided to implement Flock Safety cameras to create a virtual security perimeter around their stores. Sorgie said the Flock Safety cameras work synonymous with their existing cameras. He said the hot list feature has been instrumental in solving theft at their stores by helping their security team provide license plate and vehicle details to make arrests.

“Someone stole an item from our store while one of my market managers was there. We have a firm policy that requires a confirmed theft before putting anyone on a hot list. This rule is set in stone. The market manager logged the incident. Roughly 20 minutes later, the thief was spotted at a different store. A Flock alert went off, and our manager identified him, resulting in his arrest by the police. It all took just 20 minutes.” - Frank Sorgie, Senior Manager of Loss Prevention at Academy Sports

Sorgie said that Flock Safety’s success, which they’ve measured by number of apprehensions, deterrences, and solved incidents, has been so evident that their local police departments have mentioned Flock Safety as the most important tool to make their jobs easier.

“When visiting markets and meeting with law enforcement my boss or myself will always ask 'What can we do to help you? What would make our relationship better and make your job easier?’ They call it by name, Flock, and get Flock cameras in your parking lots. I regularly get emails from law enforcement requesting Flock in our stores. Law enforcement absolutely love this tool, because it wraps a case up in a bow for them.” 

He credits being able to share camera’s data with law enforcement as an instrumental tool to solve numerous cases they’ve had.

“We’ve always reaped the benefits of great relationships, but I think this has absolutely helped it. For sure. We saw more productivity and turnaround and case closures, by leveraging Flock.”  Frank Sorgie, Senior Manager of Loss Prevention at Academy Sports

Sorgie said that the case closures are not just for brick and mortar businesses but Flock Safety is benefiting retailers in the ecommerce, BOPIS, and curbside space. But what he is most particularly proud of, is how Flock Safety is helping to keep employees safe.

Academy Sports will be expanding their coverage from license plate recognition to solar powered Condor, which is live and recorded video.