Retail group offers crime alerts to all businesses, not just members

A Hampton Roads group that represents 3,000 retailers is now offering its free crime-alert system to nonmembers. Retail Alliance, based in Norfolk, has extended Retail Crime Alert to all business owners in the region. Launched in mid-April, the service provides the latest information on crimes such as theft, counterfeiting, forgeries, bank robberies and carjackings.

Users can sign up to receive the alerts through email and/or text messages. The alerts are available from the Peninsula, the Southside or both.

Currently, nine law enforcement agencies are posting alerts, including authorities in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Newport News, Hampton, James City County and York County.

So far, 100 alliance members have signed up for the crime alerts, said Ray Mattes, president of Retail Alliance.

The alliance will officially launch the expanded system on Sept. 6 at its Loss Prevention Conference. However, businesses can sign up today.