The Prevent, Control, Convict ALTO Model Teaches Thieves that “Crime Doesn’t Pay”

The Prevent, Control, Convict ALTO Model Teaches Thieves that
“Crime Doesn't Pay”

Founded by Jorge Nazer Rodríguez, an attorney from Los Andes University in Chile, ALTO S.A. is an organization that pursues to diminish crime for companies throughout Chile, using legal means to control and dissuade retail theft. In addition to his extensive background in criminal procedural reform, Mr. Nazer serves as an Investigator for the Manhattan Institute of Policy Research in New York City, U.S.A., and is the recipient of several awards for enterprising industrialists and entrepreneurs.

Retailers experience feelings of vulnerability and helplessness when challenged with high crime rates that continue to threaten their business performance and profits. This stark reality served as a catalyst for the success Acción Legal Total (ALTO) has achieved in controlling and deterring retail criminal activity.

As an innovative model for theft and loss prevention, ALTO offers a unique approach that complements the security services and technology used by retailers. In terms of loss prevention, ALTO has designed a model based on three areas to Prevent, Control and Convict those who commit acts such as shoplifting and fraud.

With highly recognizable media and signage, ALTO prevents criminal conduct as thieves fear prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. ALTO extensively researches the predictive behavior and patterns of shoplifters to help control criminal activity through educating their retail clients. Well versed in the nuances of the legal system, ALTO provides legal direction to help convict shoplifters. Through compiling a criminal index, ALTO gathers information to determine if someone is a repeat offender, belongs to organized crime and what products he or she most often steals. ALTO shares this information among their retail community to more effectively enhance their security operations.

According to Mr. Nazer, “our business model has been used in Chile producing successful results among our clients. Retailers have seen a 50% reduction in crime and fraud, an 80% reduction in repeat offenders and a better ability to control organized retail crime. Through our legal strategies such as zero tolerance, criminal sentences and exemplary punishments have been obtained. Initially successful in Chile, we plan to use this as a format for success in other Latin American countries and eventually around the globe.”

Through comprehensive research, ALTO has drawn profound conclusions about criminal activity that can serve as eye-openers for retailers worldwide:

70% of offences occur in the last 12 days of the month
The same offender that steals in a retail environment also shoplifts in other industries
73% of the offences occur between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Looking ahead, ALTO recognizes the key challenges facing retailers in the Latin American market over the next few years. Loss Prevention departments must enhance the proficiency of their operations. To help boost profitability in an industry dominated by low margins, retailers need to consider RFID and other innovative loss prevention technologies.

For more information on ALTO, visit www.alto.cl.