AARP Wyoming Hosts Discussion on Retail Theft

CHEYENNE – AARP Wyoming’s Government Relations Team (GRT) Interim Topic Series will continue on June 19 at noon to hear a presentation on retail theft from representatives from Wal-Mart and The Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police. The presentation and lunch will be available at AARP Wyoming’s office in Cheyenne as well as virtually for those who wish to attend from around the state.

The meeting will take place at AARP Wyoming offices in Cheyenne (1800 Carey Avenue, Suite 300), and will be available virtually by clicking here. There is no cost and no requirement to be an AARP member to attend, though registration is required.

In May, the Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Judiciary Committee took in a presentation by Herron and Thompson discussing the increased incidents of retail theft nationwide as well as in Wyoming. At the duo’s request, the Judiciary Committee voted to draft a bill that would increase the penalty for misdemeanor theft, as well as decrease the financial threshold for charging felony theft. On June 19, Herron and Thompson will talk about why they believe these bills to be important to Wyoming retailers and citizens.

Herron is a Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Wal-Mart, headquartered in Portland, Ore. Thompson lives in Big Horn and is the Executive Director of the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police. Thompson was previously a County Commissioner and Sheriff in Sheridan County as a US Army Veteran.

The webinar will be the latest AARP Wyoming Government Relations Team (GRT) meeting. Members of the GRT volunteer to follow bills of AARP member interest throughout the year, meeting weekly (in session) or monthly (during the interim) to discuss policy and offer feedback for AARP Wyoming staff on various issues. The meetings take place in person in Cheyenne and are available to those outside the Capitol City through Zoom. To be included on the GRT’s email list, simply contact Tom Lacock at tlacock@aarp.org.