National Evaluation Program - Phase 1 Assessment of Shoplifting and Employee Theft Programs - Final Report - Programs and Strategies, Volume 1 Substantive Findings, November 1979

• NCJ Number: 73535
• Author(s): L Bickman; D P Rosenbaum; T L Baumer; M R Kudel; C Christenholz; S L Knight; W T Perkowitz
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 318 pages
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-022-78
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: Westinghouse Evaluation Institute
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: National Evaluation Program

Annotation

This report summarizes and assesses the state-of-the-art of programs and strategies designed to prevent, reduce, or control the problem of retail theft, which includes both shoplifting and employee theft.

Abstract

The study procedure was to identify the universe of antitheft programs, screen candidate organizations, collect detailed information through site visits, and develop flow diagrams. Further steps in the study were to specify possible and actual points of measurement, synthesize existing knowledge, and identify the major gaps on current knowledge. Of 175 organizations screened, 30 were further studied via detailed telephone interviews. In addition, 30 persons were interviewed in person, and 20 site visits were conducted. Organizations active in this area included retail companies, State and national retail associations, community organizations, educational institutions, criminal justice agencies, private security consultant firms, and crime prevention agencies and research organizations. Results indicated that retail theft is a major problem. Antitheft strategies have included use of closed-circuit television, preemployment screening procedures, training programs, auditing procedures, environmental design, and public education campaigns. Criminal justice strategies have included specific legislation and varied efforts by the police, the courts, and diversion/rehabilitation programs. It is concluded that additional research on theft and evaluation of antitheft strategies are needed. Moreover, a dialogue between the Federal Government and the retail industry should be established. Research and efforts to improve cooperation between retailers and criminal justice personnel should also be promoted. Results concerning the extent and causes of retail theft are presented along with tables, figures, and flow charts. Detailed discussions of the antitheft strategies are also given. For appendixes to this volume, see NCJ 73536. For a related volume, see NCJ 73534.