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One specific detail that comes up is that Walgreens has specifically ordered its employees to not get involved. Some of the stores have dedicated security, but
by m0llusk 5y ago
One specific detail that comes up is that Walgreens has specifically ordered its employees to not get involved. Some of the stores have dedicated security, but they tend to get overwhelmed and not all stores are covered all of the time.
The breakdown in enforcement is part of this. Much of the problem is related to the rest of the cycle. That is, even if there are still RFID tags on the stolen items they still get sold in bulk at local street sales and such. There is some hope that enforcement on that end will pick up as the $950 limit is easier to hit and demonstrate and there has at least in SF been some rhetoric about giving sellers and fences some enforcement which might help.
Another thing to keep in mind is that at this point many of those involved are more or less completely outside society. They don't have skills, jobs, housing, family, or traditional networks. That makes enforcement tricky since incarceration is nearly the only tool and that gives them free room and board as well as opportunities for networking and developing their criminal skills like lockpicking and gang organization.
- gpapilion 5y agoIt’s also worth pointing out Walgreens, Apple, and other retailers usually do not press charges on the rare occasion when the groups are stopped or caught. This does not improve the situation.
- aerostable_slug 5y agoTarget does. Every. Single. Time. Hell, they've got their own forensics lab to help make cases against theft rings that span jurisdictions [0]. They have a commitment from the top down to put as much pressure as possible on this type of organized crime. Back when Reddit had a shoplifting sub, users would advise others to just never steal from Target — mission accomplished, I think. 0: https://corporate.target.com/article/2012/02/an-unexpected-career-target-forensic-services-labo https://corporate.target.com/article/2012/02/an-unexpected-c...
- legitster 5y agoEven in situations where there is a dedicated security team, they are not allowed to actually restrain or stop people. > Another thing to keep in mind is that at this point many of those involved are more or less completely outside society. Actual research on shoplifting suggests that the vast, vast majority of shoplifters are working or middle class: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/248967286_Who_actually_steals_A_study_of_covertly_observed_shoplifters https://www.researchgate.net/publication/248967286_Who_actua...
- m0llusk 5y agoThat is interesting, but may not have much direct application in this case. The current situation is unusual and not much like the vast majority of shoplifting. San Francisco has an unusual social environment with a substantial population of transients and a significant history of limiting police powers, electing and directing public attorneys for lenience, and keeping a bare minimum of available incarceration capacity. My own anecdotal experience may be way off, but all of the actors I have seen involved with this in San Francisco are street people doing the shoplifting and immigrants doing the fencing and selling. This is not a completely wild accusation as others have also seen this pattern.
- nradov 5y agoIncarcerating thieves means they aren't out committing more crimes.
- alisonkisk 5y agoIt's cheaper to pay for shrinkage losses than to pay for incarceration.