Mid-Atlantic Loss Prevention Conference Tackles ORC, SNAP Theft and AI Security

Retail executives, loss prevention specialists and law enforcement officials packed a sold-out security exhibition Nov. 4 at the 2026 Mid-Atlantic Loss Prevention Conference in Monroe, New Jersey. The agenda ran from organized retail crime and SNAP benefit theft to cargo theft, gift card fraud, human trafficking and artificial intelligence in retail security.

The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) hosted the event with the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) and the Delaware Food Industry Council (DFIC) at Forsgate Country Club. This year's theme: "The Spectrum of Loss Prevention."

"The conference explored the full spectrum of loss prevention, from emerging technologies and investigative practices to collaboration with law enforcement and new security strategies," said Linda Doherty, president and CEO of NJFC. "We are proud to bring our industry professionals together to explore and advance the tools, knowledge and partnerships that make our businesses and communities safer and stronger."

In short: one day, three states, and a crime portfolio that keeps widening.

Who takes over at NJFC?

The conference doubled as a debut for Jim McGreevy, NJFC's incoming president and CEO. He succeeds Doherty when she retires in January after more than 30 years with the Food Council — nearly a quarter-century of that as president and CEO.

"As the challenges facing retailers continue to evolve, so must our approach to loss prevention," McGreevy said. "No single solution can address every threat, which is why collaboration, innovation and dialogue, like the kind we are having today, are essential. Here, that purpose is clear: protecting our businesses, our employees and the customers and communities we serve."

That's a realistic framing. Nobody on the program claimed any one tool fixes theft; the day's premise was partnership.

What did state officials say about ORC and EBT?

New Jersey Assistant Attorney General Rebecca Schuman opened the program with an update on the Attorney General's Office's work against organized retail crime since New Jersey passed its ORC law in 2025. Marissa Gravel of the New Jersey Department of Human Services followed with a session on SNAP benefit theft and the state's move to more secure EBT cards with chip and tap.

For context: EBT skimming has drained SNAP dollars from low-income households for years, so a chip-and-tap rollout is a concrete fix, not a talking point.

Other sessions covered:

• Cargo theft and supply chain vulnerabilities, with Phil Johnson;
• Security lessons from preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with former FIFA intelligence specialist Max Escate;
• New gift card fraud threats, public-private cooperation and legislative responses, with Lisa Rufolo of the Retail Industry Leaders Association;
• How retail and transportation workers can recognize and report human trafficking, with Heather Fry of Truckers Against Trafficking;
• Practical uses of computer vision and AI to find operational gaps, reduce retail losses and improve store operations, with Alex Siskos of Everseen.

Ed Rohena served as conference chair and master of ceremonies. He manages asset protection for the Albertsons Mid-Atlantic Division/Acme Markets and chairs the NJFC Loss Prevention Committee as its vice chair.

"As we look to the future, this conference is an opportunity to embrace emerging technologies, strengthen industry-law enforcement partnerships and develop innovative strategies that will safeguard businesses and communities across Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey," Rohena said.

Who won the top loss prevention award?

Derrick Price of Wakefern Food Corp., chair of the NJFC Loss Prevention Committee, led the awards luncheon. NJFC and PFMA jointly gave the 2026 Mid-Atlantic Loss Prevention Professional Award to Joe Peluso, director of asset protection and safety at Weis Markets.

Peluso brings nearly 20 years of asset protection experience and oversees programs and teams serving more than 200 Weis Markets stores. Organizers cited his leadership and his active role on both associations' loss prevention committees.

Two hundred stores under one protection program is scale that few honorees can match.

How did the conference honor Amanda Hobert?

The conference paid tribute to Amanda Hobert, a longtime conference co-chair who died in June after a battle with cancer. Hobert was president of METRORCA (Metro Area Organized Retail Crime Alliance), a nonprofit formed in 2016 to fight organized retail crime. Her life partner, John Mosca, and METRORCA board member Carolyn Doran took part in the tribute.

Organizers also created the annual Amanda Hobert Memorial Retail Law Enforcement Achievement Award. It will recognize law enforcement professionals whose work reflects Hobert's commitment to cooperation and public safety. This year's recipients:

• Det. Sgt. Mitch Cowit, who retired from the Jackson Township Police Department after more than 36 years in law enforcement, honored for investigating organized retail crime across more than one state and for decades of investigative training.
• Inspector Ray Evers of the Philadelphia Police Department, a 33-year veteran who leads the department's Citywide Retail Theft Initiative, honored for strengthening coordination among police, retailers, prosecutors and other agencies.

With McGreevy taking the reins in January and a new annual award now institutionalized, the Mid-Atlantic conference has both a succession plan and a standing incentive for the law enforcement partnerships it says loss prevention can't work without.