Not sure if this is the right board, but I have to ask anyhow..

[C.Ann]

To sum up:
the bag exists
Disney can toss you off property if they want


Hope some of this clears some things up.

-------------------------

Thanks for that info! Can you elaborate on what other type of behavior might get someone "tossed out"? I mean if they had "only" argued with the manager and not walked out of the store with unpaid merchandise, that alone wouldn't get someone tossed - right?

Is it big infractions, small infractions or simply more than "one" infraction?

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Just...can't...be...quiet...anymore!!! And I REALLY was trying to stay out of it!

When I first read the thread I started discussing it with DH. I was in retail management for 6 years before I became a nanny, and my retail career started in Florida. Back in 1989 you had to steal more than $300 in one shot for it to be a felony. Anything lower was a misdemeanor, and I doubt anybody ever even went to court over it, let alone JAIL. I caught a girl with a bag absolutely BULGING with merchandise and after security tackled her and dragged her away I never heard another word about it. DH spent 17 years in grocery retail. They served shoplifters with "Trespass Warrants" all the time. Mostly to people stealing cigarettes. I do think some stores routinely ban shoplifters for life. DH was wondering if the guy who was arrested refused to cooperate and that resulted in complications. I suppose one COULD return after being banned for life, but as others have said, would it be worth the risk? Even if you WEREN'T doing anything wrong if a CM or security recognized you as having a lifetime ban I would think that would be bad.

Never in a million years would I walk out of a shop without paying for my items, even if I was planning to buy more at another shop, even if a CM said I could. I just wouldn't. But other people have said they might have also taken the CM at her word, so whatever.

So many aspects of the story don't add up, and the OP was so infuriated that his honesty was being called into question that I have to think the situation is not even close to being what it was represented to be. It is unfortunate that the gentleman lost his job, but he was still in his probationary period!

I spent a very short time as a bank teller in between retail jobs, and we were told if our behavior OUTSIDE of the bank OFF the clock was anything that would embarrass the bank that we would be fired. So if I was out drinking with my friends and decided to dance on the bar wearing my bra and a big smile I could be fired, even if it wasn't illegal. I didn't like being a bank teller and decided to move to TX with my parents - I wasn't fired for inappropriate conduct off the job. DH can be fired from his job for getting a speeding ticket in his personal vehicle when he is not working. I guess there is probably some discretion there, but if he was ticketed in his company vehicle I would expect him to be fired. Especially if he was still in his 90 day probation.

I hope the guys are able to work things out, but in all reality I don't see where Disney was liable for anything. A CM offered them a shopping bag and either misspoke or explained the bag's usage poorly. They committed an act of shoplifting, unintentional or not, it WAS shoplifting. Disney followed their procedure for shoplifters. End of story. The events that transpired after that are in no way Disney's fault. Perhaps Disney's choice of procedure was harsh, but it wasn't unreasonable. Yes, they could have issued the trespass warrant and demanded payment for the merchandise and been done with it, but that's not how Disney chose to handle it. As a store manager I could pretty much choose how I wanted to handle shoplifters. Call the cops or demand the return of my merchandise and not pursue it beyond that. As far as WHO issues a trespass warrant, that I don't know. For a grocery store it is the police, but it is entirely possible that Disney has their own forms that they issue in addition to any that are issued by local law enforcement.

There. I feel better now.

 

[diznygirl]

-------------------------

Thanks for that info! Can you elaborate on what other type of behavior might get someone "tossed out"? I mean if they had "only" argued with the manager and not walked out of the store with unpaid merchandise, that alone wouldn't get someone tossed - right?

Is it big infractions, small infractions or simply more than "one" infraction?

DH says it's up to the person handling the situation - but in his experience arguing has been the most often reason - loud yelling and maybe foul language. That's a judgement call for whoever is on duty.

Of course, there are other things like shoplifting, violence - anything that breaks the law for sure - sexual misconduct - don't ask, what happens at Disney, stays at Disney! He got burned out with seeing the seedy underside of what Disney guests are capable of and left.

 

[kimmikayb]

DH says it's up to the person handling the situation - but in his experience arguing has been the most often reason - loud yelling and maybe foul language. That's a judgement call for whoever is on duty.

Of course, there are other things like shoplifting, violence - anything that breaks the law for sure - sexual misconduct - don't ask, what happens at Disney, stays at Disney! He got burned out with seeing the seedy underside of what Disney guests are capable of and left.

That would take a big part of the magic away, wouldn't it? I bet he's seen more then he cares to admit. That's a whole other thread, isn't it?

 

[PrincessKitty1]

I suspect "banned for life" may be pretty routine if you get caught shoplifting--I used to work in a behavioral unit for kids in which they went to regular school but spent the rest of the time on the unit. Two kids were caught shoplifting in separate incidents and separate stores, and both were told they were banned for life.

 

[MagicalMom]

. I know all this cuz DH was a security mgr for Disney.

Can you ask your Hubby if Disney really trained the NYPD in terrorist attack training?

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=9075942#post9075942

from link:
Ok so I know some people still have that little voice in there head about a terrorist attack on Disney World. Well I just thought you’d like to know that Im married to an NYPD officer, who just had his 4th all day training for terrorist attacks on NYC. He came and said "well you wont believe this...guess who we were trained by this time...Disney!" It turns out Disney spent MILLIONS on new technology to counter terrorists. Things that only certain levels of people at DW know. Anyway now they are a leading force in sharing their technology with other cities all over the world. So if youre a worrier like me, I thought maybe this would make you feel a little better.

 

[korzmom]

I think the OP is just trying to have their 15 minutes of fame..if thats the way they want to get recognized then so be it. I do think they misunderstood the bag rule, it was to be used only within the confines of WOD.

 

[C.Ann]

Can you ask your Hubby if Disney really trained the NYPD in terrorist attack training?

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=9075942#post9075942

from link:
Ok so I know some people still have that little voice in there head about a terrorist attack on Disney World. Well I just thought you’d like to know that Im married to an NYPD officer, who just had his 4th all day training for terrorist attacks on NYC. He came and said "well you wont believe this...guess who we were trained by this time...Disney!" It turns out Disney spent MILLIONS on new technology to counter terrorists. Things that only certain levels of people at DW know. Anyway now they are a leading force in sharing their technology with other cities all over the world. So if youre a worrier like me, I thought maybe this would make you feel a little better.

-----------------------------------

Okay - I think that "seals" it for me...

 

[diznygirl]

Can you ask your Hubby if Disney really trained the NYPD in terrorist attack training?

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=9075942#post9075942

from link:
Ok so I know some people still have that little voice in there head about a terrorist attack on Disney World. Well I just thought you’d like to know that Im married to an NYPD officer, who just had his 4th all day training for terrorist attacks on NYC. He came and said "well you wont believe this...guess who we were trained by this time...Disney!" It turns out Disney spent MILLIONS on new technology to counter terrorists. Things that only certain levels of people at DW know. Anyway now they are a leading force in sharing their technology with other cities all over the world. So if youre a worrier like me, I thought maybe this would make you feel a little better.

Doesn't sound familiar to him. Could be that he was too far down the ladder, or he doesn't know the right people.....

 

[mickeymousemom]

I posted in one of the threads("Okay, you wanted to know, so here's what happened"??).....I was all in support of these guys and I wrote a long post trying to explain to others what the story might really be. It was around 1:30 am and I was exhausted. After getting a good nights sleep and thinking about it, I KNEW something wasn't right with the whole thing, but when I tried to post again, it was already closed. I had no knowledge of the other thread, but will go back to read what I can shortly. I think I am the most puzzled by the post about 5 days ago about going back soon. WTH??? Makes NO sense to me. At first one might believe they are talking only about visiting Orlando, but the poster makes other comments that make it obvious he's also talking about WDW. I guess I'm also puzzled by the fact that the OP's SO is(was) a NYPD cop, but his "police officer" common sense didn't tell him that leaving WoD with the bag didn't sound right(and I believe he mentioned it was a $5 50th Anniv. bag)...WTH again????

I would think Disney can easily ban for life whomever they want under reasonable circumstances. It would be almost impossible to stay onsite, but paying for the tickets with cash and entering the parks should be easy enough. I highly doubt there would be pictures of these two floating around for the CM's to refer to. Especially over $68. However, I guess I do wonder if it would be possible to send up a red flag with finger scanners. Regardless, I find it "off" that they would be banned for life for $68.

 

[azgal81]

That whole thread was just strange to me. I don't know if it's possible but I hope I never find out!

 

[TCPluto]

My 10 year old might buy this, but definitely not a member of the NYPD.

Actually, most 10 year olds would not likely believe it. And a police officer would never believe it.

I think they saw how easy it was for these people to rip Disney off last November, and the lack of interest by Disney when they reported it, they decided to "get some" for themsleves.

How else do you explain the crime they were arrested for being identical to the crime the witnessed and reported on last fall? I mean, the story they reported even had the thieves putting the merchandise into THE BAG. The only difference was they got caught, arrested and banned from property for life (however long that really is).

Held in jail for two days on a $68 theft? I call BS. I don't believe this for a second, and no one else should, becasue it's simply not true.

The guy had posted that his SO had done all of these altrustic things over his career volunteering, how he had spent half his career in court and with prosecuting attorneys, etc. Well now we know that "half his career" was only a matter of 2-3 months!!!! Please....

NYPD did these guys a favor by firing him. He was certainly not cut out to be a police officer, with this level of judgement. You have to have a great deal of common sense and skepticism; survival dicatates it, it's necessary. These guys have none of either.

 

[TCPluto]

Can you ask your Hubby if Disney really trained the NYPD in terrorist attack training?

Something just tells me this would be a hard sell on the national or international terrorism training circuit.

"The latest in terorism detection and deterrance, presented by the folks that brought you Mickey Mouse"!

I can't see how you would say it with a straight face!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Something else that really confused me was the timeline of the guy's career as an officer. I was under the impression that he went to help after Hurricane Katrina as part of the NYPD, but Katrina hit the end of August. If he was still in a 90 day probationary period in DECEMBER then did they send him before he graduated from the Academy? Or were they allowing private citizens a la Sean Penn to show up and help? Because that part makes no sense.

TCPluto -
I have to applaud your efforts to try to convince everyone to slow down and really THINK about what that thread was saying, and question the inconsistencies.

 

[dcgrumpy]

I thought the NYPD probation period was 2 years

 

[mickeyfan2]

I started to tell DH the story. I told him he got a bag that he could take all around DTD and pay at the end. That is as far as I got DH said, What?!? and started to laugh. And to think a NYPD person thought it was fine.

We were just at the mall. DH wants to know if we get our bag at Kohl's, then fill it at Sears can we pay at Radio Shack?

 

[kimmikayb]

I started to tell DH the story. I told him he got a bag that he could take all around DTD and pay at the end. That is as far as I got DH said, What?!? and started to laugh. And to think a NYPD person thought it was fine.

We were just at the mall. DH wants to know if we get our bag at Kohl's, then fill it at Sears can we pay at Radio Shack?

That's what made me doubt judgement when I told my DH (who is clueless about shopping and Disney) that they thought they could take the bag around DTD....he said oh yeah, right. Still, I'd like to believe in the good of all people. Just wish they would answer more of the questions.

 

[hubby_of_newtodisney]

I know exactly how it happens.
1. Mickey Mouse files a complaint against person with a police officer.
2. Mickey tells police that he wants a restraining order against the person.
3. Mickey goes to judge and gets restraining order against the person.
4. Person goes to Universal, or worse yet, Six Flags.

 

[beckmrk04]

I started to tell DH the story. I told him he got a bag that he could take all around DTD and pay at the end. That is as far as I got DH said, What?!? and started to laugh. And to think a NYPD person thought it was fine.

We were just at the mall. DH wants to know if we get our bag at Kohl's, then fill it at Sears can we pay at Radio Shack?

It just sounds sooo incredulous- especially because how would Disney keep people from walking off with the bags? Oh, they would follow people who did and ARREST them for shoplifting.

DTD is such an open area- the whole idea makes no sense. Now- in WOD, it makes sense, because that is one giant store. In essense, it's like filling a cart at wal-mart then picking a lane. NOT filling a cart at wal-mart, then target, then paying at Home Depot.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I asked DW Lauri how they handle bannings where she works and she said that they always ban "for life" from her mall. Doesn't matter what they stole. She's had people banned for stealing $10. It's too much hassle to make it a specific amount of time - trying to keep track of how long they can not enter the property. Plus she said "lets face it, if they were caught with $10 worth of stolen merchandise, you can be pretty darn sure this wasn't their first time and they have stolen plenty to warrent a lifetime ban in the past". And the ban basically means that if they are caught on property they would be arrested for trespassing. Chances are though that unless they do something illegal or call attention to themselves somehow, nobody would remember them enough to know they were banned. They do keep pictures and records in the security office though so when they are brought it for something they can tell if they can tack a trespassing charge on them as well.

Back to the subject at hand though. You know what confused me the most? How can you be banned from Disney property for life but remain a Disney employee?