topic Re: Your thoughts on this issue in Community Chat

Your thoughts on this issue

gellen — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 18:09:19 GMT

Hi Everyone - I was at a craft fair in my town this morning and saw what I thought might be a shoplifting incident. There were police in the area so I gave them all my information and also notified the jewelry vendor. She was going to do inventory later to determine if something had been taken. If I was wrong and nothing ws missing are there any repurcussions for me? I am pretty sure I saw what I saw and reported this to the police. The potential shoplifter had left the scene in the mean time. I hope I wasn't jumping to the wrong conclusion and that they had put something down and picked it up to retrieve it. Would you have reacted the same way if it had been you? I hate to think I would have jumped to this conclusion right off the bat and not given someone the benefit of the doubt; but I thought it was my duty to report it even if i wasn't 100 peercent sure. Thanks for any input and thoughts on the subject. Gellen

Re: Your thoughts on this issue

Love my grandkids — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 18:12:21 GMT

I agree with the way you handled it. Never confront someone in this type of situation. I loathe thievery.

Re: Your thoughts on this issue

Mistic — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 18:20:44 GMT

I think you did the right thing. Don't confront, but report.

Re: Your thoughts on this issue

nana59 — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 18:19:53 GMT

we've been told.....see something....say something....

Re: Your thoughts on this issue

phoenixbrd — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 18:34:41 GMT

I would have let it go. Since you have already reported, at this point the best thing to do is to reflect and know that you thought you were doing the right thing at the time...then release the incident altogether.

Re: Your thoughts on this issue

Cakers3 — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 18:54:14 GMT

The vendor is going to know if she is missing anything. I'm sure she takes an inventory.

Since the person you suspect of stealing wasn't identified, I don't see what else could be done.

You did what you thought was best but the theft will never be solved so at this point just let it go.

Why would there be any repercussions????

Re: Your thoughts on this issue

KingstonsMom — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 18:57:08 GMT

I have and will report any obvious shoplifting to the store owner, especially in these kinds of art fairs/ festivals.

These artist are regular people who have a passion for their art, and are just trying to earn a few bucks for their talent.

But even when I've seen obvious shoplifting at a dept. store, I still felt like it was my duty to report it.

It costs all of us in the long run.

Re: Your thoughts on this issue

Cakers3 — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 19:26:36 GMT

I just wanted to add-

thinking that it might be a shoplifting incident is not just cause to have a person detained, either.

Seeing an actual, certifiable theft is one thing.

Thinking that it "might" be a theft is a different matter.

False accusations can hurt a person and I have a feeling where this whole story is going to end up.

Re: Your thoughts on this issue

OKPrincess — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 20:20:02 GMT

You did what you thought was right and I would have done the same thing too.

Re: Your thoughts on this issue

SeaMaiden — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 20:21:51 GMT

I would think they have video and they will know buy looking through the film if it was shoplifting or not.... your telling them at least allows them to view the days film footage and see if they spot what you did.

Re: Your thoughts on this issue

ECBG — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 20:26:58 GMT

Also ladies, a lot of these artists barely make ends meet.

Re: Your thoughts on this issue

threecees — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 20:28:33 GMT

I have seen someone stealing at a Amelia's grocery store a few years ago. I was a

few feet behind her and I think it was cookies or crackers she was stuffing into her

bag.

I went right to the register and I barely got a thank you. The cashier said oh, we

will check into this. Not a big concern to them.

I tried to do the right thing and it seemed like they didn't care. Oh well, they are

out of business in my location now.

Re: Your thoughts on this issue

QueenDanceALot — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 20:35:54 GMT

@nana59 wrote:
we've been told.....see something....say something....

I don't think those who have said this meant shoplifting.

Re: Your thoughts on this issue

VaBelle35 — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 20:44:26 GMT

Having the police report will help the store with an insurance claim, if needed.

Re: Your thoughts on this issue

Mersha — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 21:45:44 GMT

In retrospect, it seems like you are uneasy now about reporting the incident.

You said you were "pretty sure" that shoplifting happened and wondered about repercussions for you if that was not the case.

Are you not sure now what you actually saw?

The way things are in the country now I would never approach anyone. You have no idea what their mindset is and if a weapon might be involved.

Re: Your thoughts on this issue

Daisy Sunflower — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 23:02:33 GMT

I wouldn't have said anything.

Re: Your thoughts on this issue

Pooky1 — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 23:17:14 GMT

i think you did the right thing. they say if you see something that doesnt look right you should report it. so gemcd i think you did a good thing.

Re: Your thoughts on this issue

speedy girl — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 23:19:05 GMT

For sure I would have let the jewelry vendor know and then she can call the police, if she wants. But I think you did the right thing to say something to her.

Re: Your thoughts on this issue

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 23:27:12 GMT

@Mersha wrote:

In retrospect, it seems like you are uneasy now about reporting the incident.

You said you were "pretty sure" that shoplifting happened and wondered about repercussions for you if that was not the case.

Are you not sure now what you actually saw?

The way things are in the country now I would never approach anyone. You have no idea what their mindset is and if a weapon might be involved.

@Mersha

You bring up a good point ..... let the video cameras and trained security personnel handle these situations .... NOT regular employees or other customers. What if that shoplifter is armed?

Example... someone is shoplifting and a customer tries to "do something" and the shoplifter swings a knife at them and cuts them badly .... or an employee

who has no security training gets badly hurt .... do you know the liability involved for the store? Yikes!

The best approach is to notify managment and stay far away from that area ... risking serious personal injury isn't worth it.

Re: Your thoughts on this issue

stevieb — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 23:32:53 GMT

@QueenDanceALot wrote:
@nana59 wrote:
we've been told.....see something....say something....
I don't think those who have said this meant shoplifting.

I don't think so either. I think we're meant to heed this advice when something threatening or otherwise of real significance with potentially very serious repercussions is seen. In the incident outlined, I'd have more than likely stayed out of it.