§ 137.865 Organized Retail Theft Grant Program; rules

(1) The Organized Retail Theft Grant Program is established to assist:

(a) Cities and counties with the costs incurred by local law enforcement agencies in addressing organized retail theft; and

(b) The Department of Justice with costs incurred by the department in addressing organized retail theft.

(2) The Oregon Criminal Justice Commission shall administer the grant program described in subsection (1) of this section and shall award the grants described in this section.

(3) The commission may adopt rules to administer the grant program, including:

(a) A methodology for reviewing and approving grant applications and awarding grants;

(b) A process for distributing any unallocated funds;

(c) A process for evaluating the efficacy of programs and services funded by the grant program;

(d) Provisions related to requests by grant recipients to adjust their grant awards; and

(e) Provisions related to partnerships or collaborations between applicants.

(4)(a) Moneys distributed to grant recipients under this section must be spent on costs associated with addressing and prosecuting organized retail theft and may be used for the purchase of equipment.

(b) The use of any automated license plate recognition system, as defined in section 3 of this 2026 Act, purchased under this section must comply with the provisions of sections 3 to 9 of this 2026 Act.

(5) As used in this section, “equipment” means any item used by peace officers, deputy district attorneys or retail asset protection investigators in detecting, investigating, documenting or adjudicating organized retail theft activities.