Woodman's east side store could be laid out better in terms of deterring shoplifting. IIRC, you can check out at the registers, and then walk through the front of the store past merchandise to get to the west exit. I'll have to check next time I'm there.
Other than that, I don't see how any of the police's suggestion would help.
How is more security staff going to help if the cops don't bother showing up? A thief is going to steal something regardless of how many warning signs you have. It's not like these shoplifters "accidentally" pocket a gallon of milk.
I wonder how many of these are repeat offenders?
Madison has a population of about 200,000 and the Madison Metro Area has about 500,000 according to Wiki. It's not exactly a small town.
So far, I like the suggestions about large fines...and free doughnuts for cops. :evil:
I remember reading an article a while back, where Walmart changed their shoplifting policy. Used to be zero tolerance, now they go this route:
1. Theft >$25, you're arrested & they prosecute
2. Theft <$25, they bring you into the office, show you the video tape that proves your theft, then give you the chance at a "do over". If you agree, they put your name & other information into their database (which is shared with all other Walmart stores), and you're let off with the warning that if you're ever caught shoplifting from any Walmart, anywhere, for any dollar amount, they'll prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.
For your career shoplifters, it's highly likely they'll get caught again, or they're over the dollar amount, and they'll pay the penalty. But for your penny-ante shoplifters (kids stealing music cd's, or some such), it puts a bit of the fear of God into them, which is often times all it takes to get them back onto the right path again.
Personally, I think it's a good policy. Walmart adopted it once they realized that they were spending more money prosecuting shoplifters of items worth less than $25, than they were losing in the stolen merchandise. For them, it's a win-win. :thumbsup:
1. Theft >$25, you're arrested & they prosecute
2. Theft <$25, they bring you into the office, show you the video tape that proves your theft, then give you the chance at a "do over". If you agree, they put your name & other information into their database (which is shared with all other Walmart stores), and you're let off with the warning that if you're ever caught shoplifting from any Walmart, anywhere, for any dollar amount, they'll prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.
For your career shoplifters, it's highly likely they'll get caught again, or they're over the dollar amount, and they'll pay the penalty. But for your penny-ante shoplifters (kids stealing music cd's, or some such), it puts a bit of the fear of God into them, which is often times all it takes to get them back onto the right path again.
Personally, I think it's a good policy. Walmart adopted it once they realized that they were spending more money prosecuting shoplifters of items worth less than $25, than they were losing in the stolen merchandise. For them, it's a win-win. :thumbsup:
Lanyap
Elite Member
- Dec 23, 2000
- 8,106
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Originally posted by: BoomerD
Why should the fine be reasonable? Make the fine HURT enough to be a deterrent.
Maybe they could set a minimum arrest limit of $50. Any amount less and the cops just take the thief around the back and beat the motherfucker with their nightsticks for a while. (length of time and severity of beating dependent on dollar amount and prior offenses)
If you make the fine unreasonable then people will not pay it and you're back to paying for all the legal processes to handle the situation, like subpoenas, court costs, jailing, etc.
Ironic that it took a Texan, GWB to wreck the world's economy. Thank you Texas, what would we do without you? :|
Lanyap
Elite Member
- Dec 23, 2000
- 8,106
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I used a static amount in my example for simplicity. You could always come up with a graduated fine based on the value of the item(s) with a minimum - like 10x the cost of the item but no less than $50. There are a number of ways to accomplish this. If you fine them $5000 for stealing a few steaks and a bottle of wine you'll likely never get the money and spend more money with legal costs of prosecuting them and putting them in jail.
Um, actually, I was called in for jury duty about 5 years ago now, for traffic court. They use a 6 member jury for anyone who (a) fights a ticket and (b) requests a jury (versus just the judge deciding whether they're guilty or not).
Sadly, it was for a woman who was speeding (54 in a 35, clearly marked) and given bad advice by an attorney wanna-be. The cop testified first, told everyone how he'd used a laser speed detector to clock her, where he was sitting, how he'd calibrated it that morning (and how they calibrate it every day before they go out on patrol). Then she got up there, and asked when was the last time he'd calibrated his radar gun??
His response? "Um, like I just talked about, it was a laser gun, and it's calibrated every day".
She was simply stunned, and really didn't know what to do after that. Needless to say, she not only paid the speeding fine, but court costs as well. :roll:
Thank you for sharing. However, from my understanding, it is up to the municipality to decide on whether a trial by jury is required for traffic cases. It is not Federally mandated.
I've been thinking about smack Down's reply and it does bring up a good point. The usual fine for excessive traffic violations is revocation of your driver's license. There is no license for shopping.
At some point, excessive shoplifting convictions should carry jailtime, but as far as I know, routine traffic violations don't (unless you've lost your license). Anything involving jailtime should require a trial (bench trial, if not a jury trial).
TurtleCrusher
Lifer
- Apr 20, 2008
- 10,161
- 984
- 126
As a LP employee I can say I am ABSOLUTELY sick of repeat offenders. You would think they would get a hard punishment even for felony theft, but they are usually out of the cells the next week.
No joke, I wish pro shoplifters would try to punch their way out of an arrest. That way I know they are going to jail for a robbery. Women, amateur and needy shoplifters are the only ones who are dumb enough to fight.
No joke, I wish pro shoplifters would try to punch their way out of an arrest. That way I know they are going to jail for a robbery. Women, amateur and needy shoplifters are the only ones who are dumb enough to fight.
Originally posted by: BoomerD
Why should the fine be reasonable? Make the fine HURT enough to be a deterrent.
Maybe they could set a minimum arrest limit of $50. Any amount less and the cops just take the thief around the back and beat the motherfucker with their nightsticks for a while. (length of time and severity of beating dependent on dollar amount and prior offenses)
So that's what humanity's failures dream of achieving.
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