For Immediate Release: Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) has released the eleventh episode of its podcast series “Spirited Discussions.” The new episode, “Protecting Our Shelves from Retail Theft,” examines the department’s loss prevention efforts that help keep prices down, fund essential services, and deter crime.
ABS Loss Prevention Manager Pete Schomburg and Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) Sergeant Jesse Dickensheets join host Jocelyn Rawat to discuss the partnership between ABS and MCPD that has resulted in decreased shoplifting incidents in ABS retail stores, increased restitution orders from prosecuted cases, and an improved shopping experience with better product availability and lower prices. With retail theft affecting communities nationwide, guests explain the difference between shoplifting and organized retail crime, quantify the impacts of retail loss, and identify best practices for ABS and private retailers. They stress that this strategic partnership protects community resources while addressing a nationwide problem.
“ABS operates without tax dollars. It is funded entirely through alcohol sales, and the profits from these sales directly support Montgomery County resident services like transportation, parks and libraries,” said Schomburg. “This means that effective theft prevention not only keeps products available and affordable for customers but also helps maintain essential community services.”
The loss prevention team uses heightened store awareness, employee training, and electronic article surveillance such as sensors on bottle tops in its deterrence program throughout the 27 retail locations. ABS is widely recognized for its outstanding video surveillance system.
The ABS loss prevention unit recently received a National Association of Counties Achievement Award recognizing innovative and effective County government programs. It also received best practices awards from StateWays magazine in 2023 and 2024.
The podcast helps residents and businesses better understand alcohol products, industry trends, and policies in Montgomery County. The podcast is posted on the department’s website and is available on several podcast platforms including Amazon, Apple, and Spotify. Subscribe to the podcast by selecting the “follow” or “plus” button on your provider’s podcast platform.
Listeners are encouraged to email ideas and questions for future episodes to [email protected].
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The Office of Broadband Programs in the County’s Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions provides technical support for the ABS podcast.
ABS is the alcohol wholesaler of beer, wine and spirits for Montgomery County and operates 27 retail stores throughout the County. In addition, ABS manages alcohol licensing, enforcement and education for more than 1,000 businesses. Generating tens of millions in net income annually, its profits are used to pay down County debt with a large portion deposited in the general fund to pay for resident services that otherwise would be funded by County tax dollars.
Read the original article at mcgov
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