The New Jersey Food Council, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA), and the Delaware Food Industry Council (DFIC), hosted the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Loss Prevention Conference and Expo in late October at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe.
The event brought together retailers, law enforcement officials, and security professionals from across the Mid-Atlantic region to address security issues facing the food industry.
This year’s conference focused on technology’s role in asset protection and the fight against organized retail crime, in addition to a security update on the 2026 FIFA World Cup event with games to be held in the New Jersey/Pennsylvania region.
“This event was the ideal opportunity for leaders in the loss prevention community to discuss the challenges that come with the constantly changing technology landscape,” NJFC President and CEO Linda Doherty said. “Consistent collaboration ensures a safer shopping experience of customers and our workforce in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.”
Serving as Master of Ceremonies, Ed Rohena of Albertsons/ACME and Vice-Chair of the NJFC Loss Prevention Committee said, “This year, we were especially proud to celebrate the passage of New Jersey’s landmark organized retail crime law in April 2025. Attorney General Matt Platkin and his office played a pivotal role in advancing this legislation and continue to be strong partners in protecting our businesses and communities.”
The event featured presentations from cybersecurity expert Carlos Garcia who spoke about the emerging field of Ubiquitous Technical Surveillance (UTS) – the invisible web of data collection and monitoring that increasingly shapes modern life.
Chief Deputy Attorney General Patrick Schulte and Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Vitale of the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General detailed their office’s success in dismantling organized retail theft rings across the Commonwealth.
The conference also included a panel on FIFA 2026 security preparations, moderated by Stacy Irving of the Delaware Valley Intelligence Center and featuring expert panelists such as Max Escate of FIFA and Lieutenant Colonel David Sierotowicz of the New Jersey State Police. Throughout the luncheon ceremony, the NJFC and PFMA recognized several outstanding professionals for their contributions to loss prevention and public safety:
- Attorney General Matt Platkin, honored with the Retail Law Enforcement Achievement Award for his leadership in advancing New Jersey’s new organized retail crime law.
- Sgt. Steven DeAngelis of the New Jersey State Police, recognized for strengthening partnerships between law enforcement and the private sector.
- Sgt. Ryan Tighe of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, honored for his professionalism and partnership as he pursued an EBT Fraud Investigation.
- The Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General Organized Retail Crime Unit, cited for its groundbreaking work investigating and prosecuting complex, multi-state retail theft operations.
