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Retailer Target Expands Into High-Tech Police Work

By Jeralyn, Section Crime Policy
Posted on Sun Jan 29, 2006 at 09:43:43 AM EST
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The next time I shop at Target I will be thinking about this article in the Washington Post.

In the past few years, the retailer has taken a lead role in teaching government agencies how to fight crime by applying state-of-the-art technology used in its 1,400 stores. Target's effort has touched local, state, federal and international agencies.

Besides running its forensics lab in Minneapolis, Target has helped coordinate national undercover investigations and worked with customs agencies on ways to make sure imported cargo is coming from reputable sources or hasn't been tampered with. It has contributed money for prosecutor positions to combat repeat criminals, provided local police with remote-controlled video surveillance systems, and linked police and business radio systems to beef up neighborhood foot patrols in parts of several major cities. It has given management training to FBI and police leaders, and linked city, county and state databases to keep track of repeat offenders.

Target considers it's assistance "corporate giving." I'd much rather it gave to social service agencies that help the poor and its customers and called the program "community giving."

Here's a little more. I find this chilling.

As the project gained footing, Target investigators began working with law enforcement agencies in sting operations and surveillance concerning crime in their stores. Target began helping law enforcement on cases that had nothing to do with its business. It wasn't long before Target was analyzing criminal evidence for police, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

"One of the nation's top forensics labs is located at Target's headquarters building in downtown Minneapolis," said FBI Special Agent Paul McCabe, who has worked with Target. "They have abilities and technology that far surpasses many law enforcement agencies in the country."

[hat tip to Mike Ditto.]

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    • Retailer Target Expands Into High-Tech Police Work | 9 comments (9 topical)
    Re: Retailer Target Expands Into High-Tech Polic (none / 0) (#1)
    by Dadler on Sun Jan 29, 2006 at 10:06:14 AM EST
    When the government needs Target to help it learn, well, we are all in deep, deep doo-doo. All that red in their stores is quite appropriate. Ahem.

    Re: Retailer Target Expands Into High-Tech Polic (none / 0) (#2)
    by squeaky on Sun Jan 29, 2006 at 11:17:54 AM EST
    they also took the position that dispensing morning after pills was entirely up to the pharmacists, who did not have to if they thought it immoral. Never been in one and never will.

    Re: Retailer Target Expands Into High-Tech Polic (none / 0) (#3)
    by pigwiggle on Sun Jan 29, 2006 at 02:44:39 PM EST
    "Target considers it's assistance "corporate giving." I'd much rather it gave to social service agencies that help the poor and its customers and called the program "community giving.""
    Not that it's and either or proposition; Target donates to a diverse range of charities from the Salvation Army to schools in the communities they operate. In fact, Forbes ranked them as the most philanthropic company (relative to income) in the US, 2005. From the perspective of a potential victim I'm happy to see Target helping out. It's funny; it only took a couple of home invasions in my neighborhood before I got over my apprehension of seeing cops patrolling.

    Re: Retailer Target Expands Into High-Tech Polic (none / 0) (#4)
    by Patrick on Sun Jan 29, 2006 at 03:08:58 PM EST
    they also took the position that dispensing morning after pills was entirely up to the pharmacists, who did not have to if they thought it immoral.
    Hijack alert....

    Re: Retailer Target Expands Into High-Tech Polic (none / 0) (#5)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Jan 29, 2006 at 04:52:13 PM EST
    From the post:
    and worked with customs agencies on ways to make sure imported cargo is coming from reputable sources or hasn't been tampered with.
    I would think that all you folks who want us to stay home and take a pure defensive posture would be supporting this. dadler? What say you? Squeaky - Let's say that an Army guy decides that he doesn't want to fight anymore. Would you say that we should suppport his beliefs? Beyond that, we all should be concered by corporations becoming involved in the CJ system. From cameras taking pictures of speeders to running prisons, let's understand one simple fact. These are for profit organizations.

    Re: Retailer Target Expands Into High-Tech Polic (none / 0) (#6)
    by Dadler on Sun Jan 29, 2006 at 05:09:26 PM EST
    Jim, I'd say I have a slightly different definition of defense and offense than you have. Or definitions, plural. Offense is more than a weapon, defense is more than delusions. And vice versa.

    Re: Retailer Target Expands Into High-Tech Polic (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jan 30, 2006 at 10:08:10 AM EST
    Target considers it's assistance "corporate giving." I'd much rather it gave to social service agencies that help the poor and its customers and called the program "community giving."
    Quite frankly, TL, who cares what you want. It's Targets time and money, why don't you let them spend it as they see fit. That is unless you would like to start opening your charitable giving to debate.

    Re: Retailer Target Expands Into High-Tech Polic (none / 0) (#8)
    by squeaky on Mon Jan 30, 2006 at 11:26:04 AM EST
    Variable-
    Quite frankly, TL, who cares what you want.
    I care what she wants, and I imagine most here also care about what she wants. I am amazed at your non-constructive rudeness towards your host. You do not speak for most here so do not pretend that you do.

    Re: Retailer Target Expands Into High-Tech Polic (none / 0) (#10)
    by kdog on Mon Jan 30, 2006 at 03:39:53 PM EST
    These are for profit organizations
    So is the criminal justice system, it was only a matter of time I guess. Target will take a picture of your expired registration and get 10% of the fine. Brilliant! (Unless your a free citizen not looking to get hassled)

    Retailer Target Expands Into High-Tech Police Work | 9 comments (9 topical)