Sevierville Police Offer Anti-Crime Program for Retailers

Retail businesses in Sevierville can join the Sevierville Police Department’s ALERT program to prevent shoplifting, credit card fraud and other retail-related crime.

The Area Law Enforcement and Retailer Team (ALERT) program partners the Sevierville Police Department with local retailers to teach retail crime awareness and prevention, as well as establishing a communication network to provide real-time alerts of incidents and suspects.

“Along with the significant increase in visitors to Sevierville during the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holiday period comes an unwelcome increase: a rise in shoplifting, credit card fraud, vehicle burglary and other retail-related crimes,” said the Sevierville Police Department. “The ALERT Program is available to all City businesses and is a proven crime prevention tool that also aids in the successful prosecution of suspects.”

Benefits of the Sevierville Police Department ALERT Program:

• Officers share pictures of current and past shoplifters and shoplifting trends with retailers to prevent others from becoming victims.
• You can find out what problems other retailers are facing.
• The group can help to identify unknown shoplifters.
• Members receive real-time alerts about counterfeit money, shoplifters, burglary and other crime in the area.
• Members can discuss possible solutions.
• Gives retailers an advocate in court.
• Gives retailers an advocate who can spend time answering your questions or helping you with an issue.
• You can schedule a free shoplifting prevention class for your staff.

An ALERT Program meeting will be held at 1:15 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 10, 2014 at Ryan’s restaurant 502 Winfield Dunn Pkwy. in Sevierville. Sevierville business owners and managers who would like to learn more about shoplifting prevention and prosecution are encouraged to attend. Materials will be available for ALERT Program registration.

ALERT enrollment is easy; managers and assistant managers can request registration by emailing Sgt. Rebecca Cowan of the Sevierville Police Department at rcowan@seviervilletn.org or by attending the meeting.