Organized Retail Theft Vertical Prosecution Grant Program
Organized Retail Theft Grants
The Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Vertical Prosecution Grant Program was established in Assembly Bill 178 and was awarded to district attorneys to address increased levels of retail theft property crimes by using a vertical prosecution model. Vertical prosecution means a prosecutor is assigned to an organized retail theft case from beginning to end (e.g., initial hearing/arrangement to sentencing). Under this model, the victim(s), witness(es), and impacted law enforcement official(s) have a single point of contact throughout the process.
The ORT Prevention Grant (established in the Budget Act of 2022, Senate Bill 154) was designated as a competitive grant for city police departments, county sheriffs’ departments, and probation departments to support local law enforcement agencies in preventing and responding to organized retail theft, motor vehicle or motor vehicle accessory theft, or cargo theft.
Initiated by the Governor and strongly supported by the Legislature in 2022, ORT grants are crucial components of the state's commitment to enhancing public safety and addressing the escalating issue of organized retail theft.
ORT Vertical Prosecution Second Quarter Status Update
In May 2024, grantees submitted their second Quarterly Progress Report to the BSCC reporting on grant activities that occurred between January 1, 2024, and March 31, 2024. The report linked below summarizes the progress report information submitted by all 13 grantees.
ORT Grantees Initial Progress Survey
On January 2, 2024, the BSCC sent a survey to all ORT Vertical Prosecution and ORT Prevention grantees. The survey asked grantees to identify their planned activities, share highlights related to the progress in implementing their project, and describe any challenges encountered. Key takeaways and findings from the ORT Vertical Prosecution grantees are summarized below. Findings from ORT Prevention grantees are summarized on the ORT Prevention page. Initial Progress Survey Results - Printable
ORT Vertical Prosecution Survey Findings
Response Rate:
For ORT Vertical Prosecution 92% of grantees (12 out of 13 grantees, listed below) responded to the survey.
Key Takeaways for Organized Retail Theft Vertical Prosecution:
- The majority of grantees have established their ORT staff/unit and have or are in the process of hiring staff.
- Over half of grantees have established or are finalizing their ORT Vertical Prosecution model.
- All the grantees who plan on entering into agreements, contracts, or memoranda of understanding (MOU) with retailers and/or other partner organizations have started conducting outreach to retailers and partner agencies, with some agreements/contract/MOUs completed.
- Their challenges were primarily related to hiring new staff.
See detailed findings in the Activities and Highlights and Challenges Encountered tabs.
Establishing New Model or Staff
- 100% of grantees (n = 12) planned on establishing an ORT vertical prosecution unit/staff. Of these 12 grantees, 83% have established their ORT vertical prosecution unit/staff.
- 100% of grantees (n = 12) planned on establishing an ORT vertical prosecution model. Of these 12 grantees:
- 33% have established their model.
- 25% are finalizing their model.
- 77% of grantees (n = 9) planned on implementing new ORT efforts.
- 77% of grantees (n = 9) planned on expanding or augmenting their existing ORT efforts.
- 67% of grantees (n = 8) planned on hiring new staff. Of these 8 grantees:
- 100% of grantees have initiated or completed the hiring process for new staff.
- 62% of grantees are hiring support staff.
- 38% of grantees are hiring Deputy District Attorneys.
Equipment and Technology
42% of grantees (n = 5) planned on purchasing and installing equipment and technology. Of these 5 grantees, 80% are currently in the procurement process.
ORT Operations
- 33% of grantees (n = 4) had planned on conducting ORT operations.
- 33% of grantees (n = 4) planned other activities including implementing a pre-filing diversion program. Tracking ORT related cases and coordinating/communicating with law enforcement and other relevant parties.
Establishing Partnerships / Training / New Cases
- 42% of grantees (n = 5) planned on entering into agreements, contracts, or memoranda of understanding with retailers and/or other partner organizations. Of these 5 grantees:
- 100% have started conducting outreach/establishing relationships with retailers and law enforcement agencies.
- 40% have MOUs/contracts being finalized or recently completed.
- 20% are developing training for retailers.
- 42% of grantees (n = 5) have attended or are scheduled to attend training.
- 16% of grantees (n = 2) report filing ORT cases (one of these grantees reported filing 35 cases).
Hiring
33% of grantees reported challenges related to the hiring process, including:- delays related to background checks.
- delays related to local hiring policies and procedures.
Evaluation
- 8% of grantees (n = 1) reported challenges related to identifying an evaluator.
- 8% of grantees (n = 1) reported challenges related to identifying the appropriate outcome measures/metrics.
- 8% of grantees (n = 1) reported challenges related to the scope of the problem/number of cases.
Local Processes
- 8% of grantees (n = 1) reported delays as a result of obtaining a resolution from the Board of Supervisors to accept the grant funds.
- 8% of grantees (n = 1) reported challenges related to the local procurement process.
- 8% of grantees (n = 1) reported challenges in obtaining usable information/evidence from retailers, noting that Loss Prevention Officers require training in report writing and documentation.
ORT Vertical Prosecution Grantees
At the September 14, 2023 BSCC Board Meeting, 13 District Attorney’s Offices were awarded in total $24,868,293 in ORT Vertical Prosecution Grant Funding. The grant cycle is October 1, 2023 through June 1, 2027.
Recognizing that applicants have different capacities, resources, and needs, there were two (2) categories within which applicants competed. The maximum an applicant could apply for in the Small Scope of Work category was $800,000. The maximum an applicant could apply for in the Large Scope of Work category was $2,050,000.
ORT Vertical Prosecution Grantees: (in alphabetical order)
| ORT Vertical Prosecution Grantees | Scope of Work | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda County District Attorney’s Office | Large | $2,050,000 |
| Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office | Large | $2,050,000 |
| Orange County District Attorney’s Office | Large | $2,050,000 |
| Placer County District Attorney’s Office | Large | $2,047,011 |
| Riverside County District Attorney’s Office | Large | $2,050,000 |
| Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office | Large | $2,050,000 |
| San Francisco County District Attorney’s Office | Large | $2,050,000 |
| Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office | Small | $800,000 |
| Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office | Large | $2,050,000 |
| Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office | Large | $2,050,000 |
| Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office | Large | $1,560,802 |
| Ventura County District Attorney’s Office | Large | $2,047,631 |
| Yolo County District Attorney’s Office | Large | $2,012,849 |
| Total Awarded: $24,868,293 | ||
Alameda County District Attorney
Placer County District Attorney
Riverside County District Attorney
Sacramento County District Attorney
San Francisco County District Attorney
Santa Barbara County District Attorney
Santa Clara County District Attorney
Sonoma County District Attorney
Stanislaus County District Attorney
The ORT Vertical Prosecution RFP provided the information necessary to prepare proposals to the BSCC for grant funds. The BSCC released the ORT Vertical Prosecution Grant Program RFP on April 14, 2023 with a proposal submittal due date of July 7, 2023 at 5:00 P.M. (PST) through an online submission portal. The RFP made available $28,500,000 through a competitive process for projects that employ a vertical prosecution model, and to dedicate at least one (1) deputy district attorney and one (1) district attorney investigator whose primary role is the investigation and prosecution of organized retail theft crimes.
- Narrative entry through the online submission portal, BSCC-Submittable Application. The ORT Vertical Prosecution Grant Program Proposal Instruction Packet was provided.
- Budget Attachment
- Project Work Plan
- Grantee Assurance for Non-Governmental Organizations
- Letter(s) of Commitment - If Applicable
- Certification of Compliance with BSCC Policies on Debarment, Fraud, Theft, and Embezzlement
- Sample Governing Board Resolution (optional)
Provided as information only: Sample Organized Retail Theft Vertical Prosecution Grant Agreement
Bidders' Conference / FAQs
The BSCC held a virtual Bidders’ Conference on Wednesday, May 12, 2023 at 10:00 AM for the Organized Retail Theft Vertical Prosecution Grant Program. The Bidders’ Conference provided an opportunity to answer technical questions from prospective bidders (applicants) and provide clarity on the Request for Proposal (RFP) Instruction Packet. A copy of the Bidders’ Conference PowerPoint Presentation, a video recording, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are provided below.
- ORT Vertical Prosecution Grant - Bidders' Conference Meeting Recording
- ORT Vertical Prosecution Grant - Bidders' Conference PowerPoint
- ORT Vertical Prosecution Grant Grant Program - FAQs
Scoring Panel
The ORT Scoring Panel members met on July 31, 2023 and August 1, 2023, and were trained on the RFP and RFP Rating Factors and Criteria.
Board Items
A listing of Board meetings on the Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program are provided below:
- July 25, 2022 | ORT Prevention Grant Program, Appointment of Chair and Establishment of an Executive Steering Committee
- April 13, 2023 | ORT Prevention Grant Program, Request for Proposals
- September 14, 2023 | ORT Vertical Prosecution Grant Program Funding Recommendations
Orientation Virtual Binder
Section 1: Welcome and Grant Overviews Presentation
Section 2: Administrative Overviews Presentation
Section 3: Program Responsibilities Presentation
- 3.1 UPDATED July 2024 - Comprehensive Monitoring Visit (CMV) Tool with Instructions
3.1 Comprehensive Monitoring Visit (CMV) Tool
Section 4: Fiscal Responsibilities Presentation
Section 5: Data Collection & Evaluation Requirements Presentation
- 5.1 Evaluation Resources
- 5.2 Data Collection Tips
- 5.3 Evaluator Role
- 5.4 Local Evaluation Plan
- 5.5 Final Local Evaluation Report
ORT VP LEP Webinar
- ORT VP LEP Webinar PowerPoint Slides - January 23, 2024
- ORT VP LEP Question Template
- ORT VP LEP LER Guidelines
- Race and Ethnicity Form
- AB1998-FINAL
- Evaluator Roles
- Data Collection Tips
- Evaluation Resources
- ORT VP LEP Webinar Video
ORT Vertical Prosecution Quarterly Progress and Baseline Reporting
Contact the BSCC regarding the ORT Vertical Prosecution Grant
If you have questions about the ORT Vertical Prosecution Grant, email ORT-VP@bscc.ca.gov.
This website will be updated as new information becomes available. You may also subscribe to the BSCC listserve for updates about BSCC’s grant projects and funding opportunities. Sign up for BSCC email updates.