Community Chat

[NYwoman]

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@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

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@NYwoman wrote:

Until people elect city and state officials, DAs, and Judges that will carry out laws that will protect the public and arrest and punish ALL the criminals; we will continue to live by the criminals' "laws".    I'm tired of my taxes rewarding the criminals and punishing the public and store owners.   It's the only way out from this ignorant lunacy.   

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@NYwoman 

I understand your point, but if someone steals a bottle of lotion and walks out with it, at best it's petty theft and perhaps a misdemeanor.   It's NOT grand larceny.

Personally, I think crimes have to be prioritized, as we don't have endless jail cells.

Doing a reality check here .....  If there are crimes happening in your area, would you want that last available jail cell to go to a violent offender ... or a shoplifter?

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Of course, a person that shoplifts "a bottle of lotion" should be given much lesser offense than one who walks out with a flat screen TV or is an habitual offender.  And the petty thief should get no bail for the first appearance while the habitual one gets too be locked up to protect the public.  There are consequences for actions, aren't there?   That is why there is discretion in the Judicial system.   Frankly, to absolve the larger offender because of the petty thief is ludicrous.   

[Cats3000]

@MershaNope.  Wouldn't work for me.  If a business wants to prevent/reduce shoplifting, the owner will have to allow his employees to be armed, qualified to use personal protection, and use it on the perpetrators.  The waves of thugs roaming a store and running away with bundles of stuff have to be stopped  That is the ONLY sure cure.

[Greeneyedlady21]

Well that's a new one, make retail clerks shoot shoplifters. The lives of those workers really do seem far less important to many posters here than material things are.

[tansy]

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@Greeneyedlady21 wrote:
Well that's a new one, make retail clerks shoot shoplifters. The lives of those workers really do seem far less important to many posters here than material things are.

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I bet that poster is against raising the minimum wage, too.

I definitely wouldn't shop in a store where the employees are armed and have instructions to shoot a possible shoplifter.  

[ScrapHappy]

From what I've seen on TV, shoplifters work in groups.  A bunch run into the store and it's a free for all grab and go.  No employees or security guards (that I've seen on video) attempt to stop them.  So what's their deterrant?  My daughter works in the mall and the manager tells them to do not attempt to do anything with a shoplifter, call security.  They've had instances, but by the time security gets there, they're long gone.

[Greeneyedlady21]

@tansy What about the safety of the shoppers in the store too?

Completely insane idea

[buyornot]

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@BoopOMatic wrote:

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@Mersha wrote:

I received an email from a business in the midwest that I purchased from online.  They also have a brick and mortar store.  They indicated they are having a problem with shoplifting and need to institute something to prevent it.

They sell furniture, lamps, rugs, curtains, and assorted other pieces that are handmade.  My opinion is it is on the "upscale" side.

The following is part of the email:

"Effective January 1,2024, we will no longer allow large to over-sized purses or backpacks, nothing larger than 9" x 7". To make it as convenient as possible we will be providing brand-new secure lockers with a key near the front counter. This will keep your belongings secure and convenient for you."

If I walked into the store with a "larger" handbag (which I usually do carry) and advised to turn it in for lockup, I would most likely leave the store with a definite negative vibe.

Would this policy work for you in order to visit this store or not?

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  Yes.

  Shoplifting costs businesses millions of dollars, and is passed onto the consumer with higher prices.

  I would welcome it.

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ABSOLUTELY! At least they are caring about theft problems and customers safety! Someone needs to do something

[50Mickey]

It is insane. Can you imagine what could happen if an employee pulls a gun and starts shooting then the thief starts shooting? It could very well result in employee and customer deaths and injuries. No way would I go into a store if I thought the employees were armed. 

[manny2]

Seems simple to me. If you know the policy don’t bring a purse in.  

[just bee]

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@bikerbabe wrote:
I’ve never carried a large bag. The smaller the better.

I remember the college bookstore in the 1980s you had to leave your backpack in a cubbyhole at the front of the store. The irony is that the cubbies weren’t locked and no one stole your backpack.🤣

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@bikerbabe 

Same policy at my university bookstore in the late 70s-early 80s.  My backpack was always there after shopping.

A different world then.  Normal.