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 Quarterly Status Updates

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 Vertical Prosecution 1st Quarter Status Report

ORT Vertical Prosecution 2nd Quarter Status Report

ORT Vertical Prosecution 3rd Quarter Status Report

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.

 

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.

ORT Vertical Prosecution Grant Project Summaries

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

 

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.