Shoplifting

[RedAngie]

Walgreens at 7th & H Streets NW in Washington, DC. It seemed like well over half the merchandise was in locked cabinets.









Security guard in store near exit. I don’t know if he was armed.

While I was inside I heard at least three announcements “Customer service needed in dental department.”

I doubt this locked up merchandise was being stolen for personal use. Most likely it was sold for a steep discount by the shoplifters in a back alley.

 

[mom2rtk]

I don't blame them one bit.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Reminds me of fish tanks in a pet store. Keep your hooks off.

 

[BrianL]

Around here they usually only have the razors and deodorant in cases like that. Everything else is usually accessible. It's a shame that they have to do that.

 

[Micca]

I doubt this locked up merchandise was being stolen for personal use.

That's interesting because the first thing I thought of was homeless people desperate for hygiene products.

 

[leebee]

That's interesting because the first thing I thought of was homeless people desperate for hygiene products.

Me, too.

 

[MamaBelle4]

That's interesting because the first thing I thought of was homeless people desperate for hygiene products.

Me three.

I mean, selling a tube of toothpaste at a steep discount - that's what, $0.75/$1.00? Not a huge profit.

I understand thinking that about laundry detergent or expensive razors, but I definitely don't think anyone's turning a profit on stolen toothpaste.

 

[Judique]

I was in a Walmart recently where I noticed Dove products were in a locked cabinet. Stuff such as the bar soap, shampoo, lotion. Didn't realize that was a popular product.

 

[Micca]

I was in a Walmart recently where I noticed Dove products were in a locked cabinet. Stuff such as the bar soap, shampoo, lotion. Didn't realize that was a popular product.

Well it is 1/4 cleansing cream

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I saw on the news once that stores, like CVS, we're being robbed by groups of people all dressed head to toe in black, riding bicycles. I think this was or still is, a major problem in San Francisco. They thieves go into the store, and quickly and precisely steal what they're aiming for and ride off. In one video I saw, there was a guard but he really didn't do anything.

 

[qle]

Multiple Walgreens in SF have closed on this reason. Very unfortunate

 

[KayMichigan]

So are there employees wandering around with keys so people can get what they need, like in an antique store? Or do they have to call an employee every time a customer wants something?

It's a shame but it's better than closing the store.

 

[shh]

So are there employees wandering around with keys so people can get what they need, like in an antique store? Or do they have to call an employee every time a customer wants something?

It's a shame but it's better than closing the store.

Yikes, with staff shortages, can't even imagine having to track someone down every time I wanted to look at or buy an item. Thank goodness for online shopping.

I'm rarely inside a store anymore. 95% of everything I buy is online.

 

[MillauFr]

They all need to move to the Amazon Go model. Just walk in and walk out. No cashiers.

 

[fly girl]

As @mom2rtk said, I don't blame them one bit. Not one tiny iota. We have all seen the videos of free for all theft.

Although I understand, what a pain for the employees -- and an exhaustive shopping trip for honest people.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

Around here they usually only have the razors and deodorant in cases like that. Everything else is usually accessible. It's a shame that they have to do that.

That's what it's like in the closest Walgreen's to me as well. I don't recall anything else being locked up. RiteAid does it, too.

 

[AppleDumpling]

How sad that this is necessary.

 

[tvguy]

I saw on the news once that stores, like CVS, we're being robbed by groups of people all dressed head to toe in black, riding bicycles. I think this was or still is, a major problem in San Francisco. They thieves go into the store, and quickly and precisely steal what they're aiming for and ride off. In one video I saw, there was a guard but he really didn't do anything.

Well there is more to the story. In 2014 California voters passed Proposition 47. It made any shoplifting theft where the total value of the items was under $950 a misdemeanor. At the same time there was a huge push underway to release minor offenders early.
One of the unintended consequence, stores no long attempt to stop shoplifters. Why? Well, because Law Enforcement won't respond anymore to those calls.......and law enforcement won't respond because the District Attorney won't prosecute because convictions would put more minor offenders in jail.
And the other issues are, too many store employees were getting hurt attempting to stop shoplifters, and the cost to the store to prosecute a shoplifter these days is greater than the loss.......plus.....in some cases shoplifters were getting hurt too, and suing and winning based on the argument that the store employee used "excessive force" to detain them.
My NextDoor page occasionally has videos of people loading up shopping carts and just leaving without paying, and nobody tries to stop them.

 

[RedAngie]

That's interesting because the first thing I thought of was homeless people desperate for hygiene products.

An individual stealing a tube of toothpaste or canister of deodorant really isn’t much of a concern.

Most of these products are locked up because teams come in and sweep the shelves and run out, making it difficult to apprehend all of them. Then they either sell the merchandise themselves or pass them on to a consolidator who sells them at flea markets or elsewhere.

This Walgreens in DC is right across the street from a Metro subway entrance.

 

[RedAngie]

So are there employees wandering around with keys so people can get what they need, like in an antique store? Or do they have to call an employee every time a customer wants something?

It's a shame but it's better than closing the store.

There were buzzers near the locked cases to call for assistance. But this store was probably short on staff since someone buzzed in the dental department three times in about five minutes.