Academy Sports Tackles Organized Retail Crime With Flock Safety

Academy Sports Finds a Solution to Combat Organized Retail Crime

Academy Sports, one of the leading full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailers in the United States, needed to level up its existing security solution. Like many retailers across the country, the stores have 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 first caught his attention when he saw numerous social media posts about the Flock "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,” said Sorgie.

Academy Sports decided to implement Flock cameras to create a virtual security perimeter around their stores. Sorgie said the Flock 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," said Sorgie.

"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.”

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,'" Sorgies said.

"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," Said Sorgie.

"For sure. We saw more productivity and turnaround and case closures, by leveraging Flock.” 

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

Academy Sports later expanded its coverage from license plate reader cameras to add live and recorded video.