The jewelry trade's efforts to get federal assistance to combat on-the-road jewelry thefts are paying off. However, more financial support is needed if the industry's efforts are to continue, says John Kennedy, president of the Jewelers' Security Alliance. JSA formed the industry coalition that is seeking federal help to fight the gangs.
"Progress is being made in getting the FBI to give more resources and attention to fighting the South American theft gangs that have been devastating the jewelry industry," Kennedy said in a summer report to coalition members.
That progress includes:
The addition of three more FBI personnel to the five already on the FBI/Los Angeles Police Department task force fighting the South American theft gangs in California. The task force has made "hundreds of arrests" in the past year, said Kennedy in his July 30 report. There are also two full