The Washington Post reports that Target Corp. “has taken a lead role in teaching government agencies how to fight crime by applying state-of-the-art technology used in its 1,400 stores. Target's effort has touched local, state, federal and international agencies.
“Besides running its forensics lab in Minneapolis, Target has helped coordinate national undercover investigations and worked with customs agencies on ways to make sure imported cargo is coming from reputable sources or hasn't been tampered with. It has contributed money for prosecutor positions to combat repeat criminals, provided local police with remote-controlled video surveillance systems, and linked police and business radio systems to beef up neighborhood foot patrols in parts of several major cities. It has given management training to FBI and police leaders, and linked city, county and state databases to keep track of repeat offenders.”
Analysts say that this reflects a new trend in corporate altruism – not just contributing money, but also providing expertise and services that are useful in the public arena.
“Besides running its forensics lab in Minneapolis, Target has helped coordinate national undercover investigations and worked with customs agencies on ways to make sure imported cargo is coming from reputable sources or hasn't been tampered with. It has contributed money for prosecutor positions to combat repeat criminals, provided local police with remote-controlled video surveillance systems, and linked police and business radio systems to beef up neighborhood foot patrols in parts of several major cities. It has given management training to FBI and police leaders, and linked city, county and state databases to keep track of repeat offenders.”
Analysts say that this reflects a new trend in corporate altruism – not just contributing money, but also providing expertise and services that are useful in the public arena.
- KC's View:
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We keep thinking about a line that Raley’s Bill Coyne used at last week’s Food Marketing Institute Midwinter conference – that employees want their retailers to be “trustworthy, even noble.”
Nobility can mean many things, can take many shapes.
