Jewelry leaders to form crime-prevention networks

From left, front row: JA Chairman John Green, Jewelers Mutual Chairperson Patti Geolat, JSA Chairman David Cornstein. Back row: JA President Matthew Runci, Jewelers Mutual President and CEO Darin Kath and JSA President John Kennedy.

A team of industry organizations led by the Jewelers' Security Alliance (JSA) and including Jewelers of America (JA) and Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co. will develop local crime-prevention networks of jewelers and police.

Under the initiative, local crime-fighting groups will be organized in towns, cities, counties and states throughout the United States. Members of these networks will share information on crimes, suspects and crime-prevention measures and will work with their local police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to reduce crime against jewelers. The goal is to have 200 networks up within three years.

JA and Jewelers Mutual each pledged $300,000 to the project. JCK/Reed Exhibition Companies provided seed money through a $100,000 JCK Industry Fund grant to the JSA in 2006. The JSA is conducting a fund-raising campaign for the project in conjunction with the celebration of its 125th anniversary in 2008. Partners and contributors will be recognized at JSA's gala anniversary luncheon scheduled for Jan. 12 at the Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center. FBI Director Robert S. Mueller is scheduled to speak at the event.

"There are currently a few pioneering examples of local crime-prevention networks in the United States that have made great progress in reducing crime in their areas," JSA President John Kennedy said in a statement. "Local jewelry crime-prevention networks lead to more arrests of jewelry criminals, more awareness of security issues by jewelers, better cooperation by police and a significant reduction in crime. This project will be a giant step in the fight against jewelry crime by helping to involve jewelers and police throughout the United States in the most effective crime-prevention activities."

JA Board Chairman John Green said security is a top concern to all retail jewelers.

"JSA's grassroots effort to feed and nurture local crime-prevention networks is a project that Jewelers of America feels could have a significant impact on each and every one of our 11,000 member stores. We're delighted to support JSA in this worthy endeavor," he said.

Patti Geolat, chairperson of the Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co. board, noted that she's seen first-hand how such groups can work, as she's been involved with such a group in Dallas over the past several years.

"I think that this project with Jewelers of America and Jewelers' Security Alliance will be a major step in reducing crimes against the policyholders of Jewelers Mutual and the entire jewelry industry," she said.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork