NCJ Number
50193
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS FILM DRAMATIZES SHOPLIFTING AND EXAMINES ITS EFFECTS ON CONSUMERS AND BUSINESSES. METHODS FOR REDUCING SHOPLIFTING LOSSES ARE SUGGESTED.
Abstract
SMALL AND LARGE RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS, AS WELL AS THE CONSUMERS WHO PATRONIZE THEM, SUFFER GREAT LOSSES AS A RESULT OF THE $4 BILLION IN MERCHANDISE WHICH IS SHOPLIFTED ANNUALLY. THREE DIFFERENT TYPES OF RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS ARE USED TO DESCRIBE THE SHOPLIFTER'S PRIME TARGETS. VARIOUS TYPES OF SHOPLIFTERS ARE DIFFERENTIATED: JUVENILES WHO STEAL FOR FUN AND EXCITEMENT, AGING AND POOR ADULTS WHO STEAL TO HELP STRETCH THE FAMILY BUDGET, AND THE PROFESSIONAL WHO STEALS FOR PURE PROFIT. THE FILM OFFERS STORE OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT EFFECTIVE METHODS OF PREVENTION, DETECTION, AND RECOVERY, INCLUDING SUCH THINGS AS KEEPING THE AISLES CLEAR OF DISPLAYS SO CUSTOMERS CAN BE WATCHED BY SALES PERSONNEL; AVOIDING BOOKKEEPING AND OTHER CHORES THAT DISTRACT STAFF ATTENTION DURING STORE HOURS; WATCHING FOR PRICE SWITCHES ON MERCHANDISE; AND USING ONE-WAY MIRRORS SO THAT CUSTOMERS CAN BE OBSERVED AT ALL TIMES. JUVENILE AND ADULT VIEWERS ARE REMINDED OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF CITIZENSHIP AND THE HARSH CONSEQUENCES AWAITING BOTH THE AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL SHOPLIFTER. THE FILM ALSO EXPLAINS THE CITIZEN ARREST PROCEDURE, AND INSTRUCTS STOREKEEPERS ABOUT DETAINING SHOPLIFTERS UNTIL THE POLICE COME. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS CAN USE THIS FILM TO SHOW LOCAL BUSINESSES HOW TO REDUCE SHOPLIFTING LOSSES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)