Palmdale Ramps Up Holiday Security with Undercover ‘Operation Secret Shopper’ to Combat Retail Theft

With a new initiative called Operation Secret Shopper, the City of Palmdale and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) are preparing to fight retail theft this holiday season. A group of undercover deputies will mix among customers to surreptitiously keep an eye on and discourage any illegal conduct. According to the City of Palmdale’s official release, Mayor Austin Bishop stated, “We’re watching you, and we’re prepared to act,” and he added that a zero-tolerance policy on retail theft will be implemented.

The goal of this anti-theft campaign is to actively involve plainclothes deputies in order to help them blend in with the crowd and make it more difficult for criminals to recognize law enforcement personnel. The strategy calls for not only being there but also taking prompt action in the event that suspicions are raised. This strategy seeks to ensure that individuals who have the audacity to steal will be held accountable for their acts. According to the City of Palmdale, the undercover deputies are a part of a larger strategy that involves community service officers and LASD actively monitoring retail theft events. In order to ensure that victims are compensated for their losses, criminals should not only be caught but also forced to make restitution.

In addition to these covert activities, the City and LASD work together through a Business Watch program that helps local companies by exchanging theft prevention tactics and improving security through the use of a conspicuous uniformed deputy presence and other tactics. “The City will not leave our business owners to face this alone,” Mayor Pro Tem Richard J. Loa said, reaffirming the City’s dedication to helping local entrepreneurs. In a statement, the City of Palmdale said, “We want to make it clear that if you think you can steal in Palmdale, think again.”

To learn more about the Business Watch program, call Public Safety at 661-267-5234. The community is also urged to be alert and report any suspicious activity to the LASD at 661-272-2400.

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