Shoplifting is a common crime that occurs when someone steals merchandise offered for sale from a retail store. When theft, petty or grand theft, from a commercial business occurs, the effects of shoplifting are harmful to everyone. Negative effects of shoplifting affect business owners, business customers, and teenagers, and society as a whole. The harmful effects of shoplifting cost United States businesses approximately sixteen billion dollars every year. About one out of every three new businesses fails because of the effects of shoplifting. This is a social issue in which causes a disturbing of the peace, change in the economy, and fear of business owners. One must understand why one shoplifts.
Under most state shoplifting laws, a business owner or employee has the legal right to arrest a suspect if they have probable cause. Probable cause is defined under shoplifting laws as having direct knowledge of an offender’s approach, selection, concealment, movement, and/or modification of an item, and his or her failure to pay before attempting to exit the store (Horan 11). When a person is caught shoplifting, they will be required to return the items, will be prohibited from returning to the store for a period of time, and may be prosecuted through shoplifting laws (Horan 11-12).
Shoplifting is considered a misdemeanor petty theft if the value of the stolen goods totals less than $300 to $500. In some cases, first time offenders may be charged with a less serious crime such as disorderly conduct so as not to face the consequences imposed by shoplifting laws (Horan 37).
If an offender has a history of shoplifting or the value of the stolen goods exceeds $500, shoplifting laws often yield harsher penalties (Horan 32). An offender can be charged with grand theft or larceny , both of which are felony crimes. Under shoplifting laws, a person who is convicted of this crime may receive a sentence that includes jail or prison time, punitive fines, community service, and/or other penalties (Segrave 3).
The consumer is affected in a few different ways because of shoplifting. For the consumer who shoplifts, which is usually a teenager or senior citizen, the law affects them. No shoplifter will never get caught even though that is what most believe. As shoplifters steal for longer periods of time, and their shoplifting progresses as they start to steal bigger and more expensive items more frequently (Sennewald 65). As time goes they start to become involved with car shopping, stealing cars, and breaking in to houses. Shoplifting has consequences, which vary from getting your parents called all the way to large amounts of jail time. Even people who accompany shoplifters are in danger; for being with a shoplifter is almost as bad as shoplifting.
It is estimated that ninety percent of the population has committed a shoplifting crime at some point in their lives (http://www.onlinelawyersource.com/criminal_law/shoplifting/effects.html). Younger children will sometimes take things from a store because they do not understand the effects of shoplifting while others may lack self control. Teens account for fifty percent of all shoplifting cases. This population may also not fully understand the effects of shoplifting on themselves, other teens, adults, and the rest of society (http://www.onlinelawyersource.com/criminal_law/shoplifting/effects.html).
As stated above, the effects of shoplifting are harmful to consumers. Stores will often be forced to increase the price of their merchandise in order to make up for the cost of stolen goods (Horan 77). Experts estimate that the average family will spend three hundred dollars every year to subsidize the cost of what shoplifters steal. These increased prices may discourage customers from supporting some businesses which creates even more negative effects of shoplifting. The stores are tying to crack down on shoplifters by making the punishments as strict as possible. Shoplifting effects the community in a big way. The stores get about three cents per every dollar purchased for an item frequently (Sennewald 59). So if you figure that they don’t make a whole lot of money out of profit. Every shoplifter that takes a product also is taking the product, which costs money by the store so that is also a set back and puts them more in dept (Horan 14). Some stores might even closed down because of shoplifters making the store go bankrupt. The stores usually raise there prices and then causes more shoplifting, but the people that don’t shoplift just end up having to pay more for the product or else go somewhere else to shop. If the customer goes to a different store because of the rising prices the store will also lose business therefore could cause them to go out of business if enough customers leave frequently (Sennewald 94).
In addition to what I stated early, It is also estimated by law enforcement that approximately ninety percent of the US population will commit the crime of shoplifting at some point in their lives (Segrave 9). Adolescents account for one-half of all shoplifting cases, though- value wise- this population steals one-third of what adults steal. Each family in the United States pays an extra three hundred dollars for goods and services to subsidize losses from shoplifting. Shoplifting is a crime that affects all consumers in one way or another. Shoplifting laws are governed by individual states and can vary depending on the location of the crime. Shoplifting penalties typically depend on the amount and value of the goods that were stolen, and whether or not the offender has shoplifted before. Each state sets their specific limit on the value of stolen goods which constitutes a misdemeanor charge and that which qualifies as a felony crime (Segrave 22).
In most states, shoplifting goods with a value less than $300 to $500 constitutes a petty theft misdemeanor charge (Segrave 43). Shoplifting goods with a greater value may constitute a grand theft or larceny felony charge. The charges for shoplifting also depend on whether a person has a criminal history of shoplifting and other specific factors.
The penalties for shoplifting vary by circumstance and location but can include fines up to two times the amount of the value that was stolen, prison or jail time, and community service. In some cases compensatory fines may also be assessed in shoplifting cases in order to compensate a store owner for his or her losses. In some shoplifting cases when the value of the goods is minor and it is a first time offense, perhaps committed by a minor, the criminal justice system will issue a warning to the shoplifting offender rather than prosecute the case (Segrave 12).
Because teens are often the perpetrators of shoplifting offenses, teenagers can also suffer the unfavorable effects of shoplifting. Even teens who have no intention of shoplifting may be discriminated against because of the suspicion that they may intend to steal goods from a store. The effects of shoplifting may make store owners suspicious of teens and discourage them from coming into stores. The effects of shoplifting also impel store owners to have backpack or bag check in policies, security cameras, security guards or sensory systems, and other special alarms in order to deter shoplifters and catch offenders. Many businesses will prosecute shoplifters to the full extent of the law (http://www.crimedoctor.com/shoplifting).
When a store owner or law enforcement has reasonable cause to suspect that a person has shoplifted, they usually have the legal right to detain them. When a teen commits theft their parents will be contacted, they will have to return the items, and they probably will not be allowed to enter that store for at least a year. The effects of shoplifting on teens may also include legal implications (http://www.crimedoctor.com/shoplifting). The legal effects of shoplifting vary by state and circumstance. The penalties for shoplifting often depend on the value of the merchandise stolen, and any prior history of shoplifting. The legal effects of shoplifting on a person who is convicted of this misdemeanor or felony crime can include jail or prison time, fines which are often far greater than the amount stolen, and community service (http://www.crimedoctor.com/shoplifting).
It is always misperceived that the only shoplifters are teenagers or minorities. There’s no typical shoplifter. People who steal from stores can be any age, race, gender, and social and economic background. However, some of the causes of shoplifting include peer pressure, retaliation, and even protest. Peer pressure is one reason why people shoplift. Some might do it to seem cool or daring. Some do it because their friends shoplift and they want to be part of the group (http://www.utahparenting.org/resources/Shoplifting_2.pdf). Some people shoplift because they want things their classmates have but can’t afford them. Some people shoplift to see what they can get away with. Or they may have the opportunity, as we learned in class. They may do it as a way to challenge authority or be nonconformist. Or they may get a rush out of doing something risky that has the potential to get them in serious trouble. Others do it as a way to get attention from parents or friends (http://www.utahparenting.org/resources/Shoplifting_2.pdf). A few people shoplift because they see it as a way of getting back at a store they don’t like or a company whose values they question. But shoplifting rarely affects the store as much as it affects the people who shop there. Some stores may add the cost of shoplifting into their prices. So the people shopping there are the ones paying extra, not the stores (http://www.utahparenting.org/resources/Shoplifting_2.pdf).
There are two types of shoplifters. There are professional shoplifters and amateur shoplifters. Professional shoplifters are people who usually take expensive items, like clothing and jewelry, that they can resell easily. Amateur or casual shoplifters don’t usually go into a store with the intention of stealing, they simply see the opportunity to take something and do (Segrave 13-15). With more surveillance and security, we can reduce opportunity.
Many people assume that shoplifters have a mental disorder or that they must really need the items they are stealing in order to survive. But the truth is that’s not why most people steal. Very few people have kleptomania, and many people who steal have enough money to pay for the items (Segrave 38).
Despite extensive prevention efforts, such as TV and radio commercials, briefings at newcomers’ orientations, school collaboration and community awareness programs, a large percentage still chose to shoplift. The notion that shoplifters are just teenagers is false. In 2008, people ranging from 12 to 74 years old were caught and punished (Sennewald 98). According to http://www.onlinelawyersource.com/criminal_law/shoplifting/effects.html, “Even more astounding is that they aren’t stealing expensive merchandise. Some stolen items were less than $2 in value. If the current trend continues, shoplifting alone will surpass all civilian and dependent misconduct incidents combined in 2007. For some odd reason shoplifters think they will not get caught. A word to sum up that train of thought is delusional. People who shoplift will get caught and face the consequences of their actions.” Shoplifters expose themselves to administrative actions, a criminal record, loss of shopping privileges, as well as embarrassing themselves and their families.
As stated previously, people might shoplift for many reasons. However, there’s no way around the fact that shoplifting is stealing and in most places there are heavy penalties for it, including being arrested and possibly charged with a crime, which isn’t worth it. Some people may not realize how serious shoplifting can be. What might seem like an innocent prank can actually affect a person’s future, including the chances of getting a job. Lots of teens find out the hard way that stores take shoplifting very seriously. Even if it is something as small as a piece of candy (Sennewald 18-19).
Some external penalties for shoplifting could be charges for theft, being escorted out the store in handcuffs, banning from the store or the mall, etc. People who have been arrested for shoplifting especially if it’s more than once may end up with a criminal record. This can make it harder to get a job, get into college, or do the other things they want. Even if people who shoplift aren’t prosecuted, their names can end up on a national database that some companies look at when making hiring decisions. This too, can affect your chances of getting a job. People don’t have to get caught for shoplifting to affect their lives. Some people may feel guilty or ashamed of what they’ve done. It can cost the person self-respect or the respect of others. Sometimes people lose friends who decide they don’t want to be close to someone who doesn’t have the same values (Horan 28, 33).
There are many ways you can help prevent shoplifting when with a friend or dealing with a peer. It can be hard to raise tough topics like shoplifting with a friend. One way is to try saying that you’re concerned, and that you don’t want your friend to get hurt in the long run. Based on research, people simply don’t know how serious the penalties for shoplifting can be (Sennewald 56). Sometimes friends are looking for other people to give them feedback about their choices. In my opinion, just talking about it may help your friend think more about what he or she is doing and why.
If you think it’s wrong to take things without paying for them, you need to speak up. When you are quiet, it doesn’t help. You can state your own point of view without giving your friend a lecture, putting him or her down, or being judgmental. Simply say what you believe, such as, “I don’t think it’s right to take things without paying.” Sometimes it takes courage to speak up like this. But saying nothing can send a friend the message that you’re OK with the behavior. This can only lead them to believe this is fine, and it could land them into trouble (Sennewald 44-47).
When you can’t talk to your friend yourself or you’re worried that the problem is too big to tackle alone, discuss it with a counselor or other trusted adult. This is another form of prevention. If a friend tries to get you to shoplift or to distract someone so he or she can shoplift you can say no (Sennewald 50). It takes courage, especially if the other person tries to put you down if you don’t go along. But sometimes, we have to be our own best friends and put our needs first (Sennewald 52). This will ultimately keep you out of jail. If your friend won’t stop shoplifting, avoid shopping together. If your friend is caught, you may be under suspicion too. You could even suffer some of the same consequences such as being banned from a store (Sennewald 53). In my opinion, that isn’t fair, but it occurred because of one’s decision of shopping with a shoplifter when you were aware it was going on.
There are psychological factors in which cause shoplifting. This is proven by gathered statistics. Several studies have found diagnosed depression to exist in approximately 1/3 of the shoplifters studied (Segrave 19). Depression was the most frequently found physiological problem. According to Segrave, “This helps to explain why so many shoplifters steal from stores on their birthday and around holiday times. Any way one looks at it, shoplifters perceive shoplifting as a form of self nourishment or as a way to relieve fear or pain in their life. In truth, shoplifting is self-destructive not self-nourishing, but shoplifters often can’t see the paradox.” (Segrave 28)
For almost all amateur shoplifters, stealing from stores is basically a reflection of a person’s ability or inability to cope with a large amount of situations in his or her life. It’s a response to their personal life situations. While these unhappy life situations may not easily be changed or constantly occur in their lifetime, one must learn how to cope with these situations in a way that’s not harmful to themselves or others. This may not be easy to achieve, because approximately 27 percent of shoplifters caught for the first time have already developed a shoplifting habit or even an addiction (Segrave 36). Many admit that it will be hard for them to stop shoplifting. Even after getting caught (Segrave 36).
As stated earlier, a person’s addiction to shoplifting can develop quickly when the excitement generated from “getting away with it” produces a chemical reaction such as an adrenaline rush, resulting in what shoplifters describe as an incredible “rush” or “high” feeling, which many shoplifters will tell you is the “true reward,” rather than the merchandise itself (Segrave 41). In addition to feeling good, shoplifters quickly observe this “high” temporarily eliminates their feelings of anger, frustration, depression or other unhappiness in their life. Realizing how easy it is to get that “high” feeling, they are pulled toward doing it again. They may create a “just one more time” attitude, and their addiction begins to develop (Segrave 44). Even though most non-professional shoplifters feel guilty, ashamed or remorseful about what they did, and are fearful of getting caught, the pull is too strong for many to resist. The irony is that most shoplifters who have developed a habit or addiction believe they should be punished according to the law when caught. What offenders often resent, is when they are simply thrown into jail with hardened career criminals and are not given the help or support they need to help prevent them from repeating the offense (Segrave 56).
As discussed in class, juvenile crimes are less frequent and usually do not continue into adulthood. Shoplifting among juveniles is remarkably similar to adult shoplifting. However, the primary issues related to shoplifting among youth revolve around family, school and peer pressures. If you were to ask juveniles caught shoplifting, “Why did you do it”? The most frequent reply would be “I don’t know”. Like adults, the reasons teens shoplift vary, but most commonly it is because they wanted nice things, felt pressured by friends, wanted to see if they could get away with it, or were angry, depressed, confused or bored (Segrave 66). Sometimes they are just mad at the world and want to strike back. While teens, like adults, usually know the difference between right and wrong, when their life becomes too stressful they become more vulnerable to temptation, peer pressure and other things that can lead them to shoplift. This is especially true when they feel unworthy, angry, depressed, unattractive or not accepted (Segrave 68-70).
There are some techniques many shoplifters use to get away with the crime. There are some tricks they use, however there are ways to prevent them. A large open bag is a common shoplifter tool. It is placed at the thief’s feet, and objects are casually dropped into it. Many security and business owners are told to be on the lookout for the “bad bag” which is a paper bag that is dirty and wrinkled. Also the are told to keep an eye out for shopping bags that are not from local stores. Preventing this is why many stores staple bags shut (http://www.crimedoctor.com/shoplifting). Other stores require customers to leave their bags by the front door when they come in. In Richmond, DTLR ask their customers to do so.
Another form is using personal belongings. Women sometimes use purses to hide stolen items. There is little one can do to stop women from carrying purses and handbags. The best prevention in these cases is to watch the customers very carefully. One must be careful to not follow the customer around, this may lead to discrimination charges (http://www.crimedoctor.com/shoplifting).
The baby carriage or stroller is a great tool for shoplifters. There are always blankets, toys, and other things in strollers, including the baby, that merchandise can be hidden under. Some thieves have even built false bottoms in baby carriages (http://www.crimedoctor.com/shoplifting).
A few more examples could be shoplifters using their clothes. Crotch-walking” is a technique used by women wearing full skirts and dresses. They simply place the merchandise between their thighs and walk away (http://www.crimedoctor.com/shoplifting). Thieves who are good at this have been known to steal hams, typewriters, and other large objects. Baggy clothes in general are good places to hide stolen items. Some people have extra pockets or hooks sewn into coats and jackets. Store managers and business owners have always been warned to beware of the customer with a large coat who keeps his hand in a coat pocket. Some shoplifters have cut slits in the pocket lining, so they can reach for items without being seen. They may make a big deal out of inspecting an item while the other hand slips out and grabs something (http://www.crimedoctor.com/shoplifting).
Finally, there is an approach some use to completely compel the clerks to respond to the offense. Some shoplifters just grab stuff and walk out with it. They rely on the lack of caution and slow response time of sales clerks. Some shoplifters grab garments from racks close to the door and run off (http://www.crimedoctor.com/shoplifting). This can be prevented very easily by alternating the directions of hangers. This makes the hangers “lock up” when someone tries to remove many at once.
The really shameless thieves simply walk out with large items that are not ordinarily put in bags. Prevent this by making it unusual for legitimate customers to carry out their large purchases, with a policy that all large items must be picked up at a location physically separate from the sales floor, or that employees take all large items out to customer’s cars. Or you could put big bright stickers on purchased large items (Horan 75). This at least makes it easily for employees to tell if the merchandise is being stolen (Horan 75).
One must be aware of some of the distraction tricks. Most shoplifters cannot succeed unless they get some privacy. This is why one of the best ways to stop shoplifting is to greet customers as soon as they walk in, then be attentive to them the rest of the time. But skilled shoplifters can distract sales associates. They will try one of a few tricks. One trick is when they enter the store in groups, then separate, so there is no way the employees can watch all of them (http://www.crimedoctor.com/shoplifting). Another is when a pair of shoppers comes in, and while one distracts you with questions, the other steals. Finally, a single shopper sends the only employee in the store into the back room to find something, and then steals stuff and leaves before the employee comes back (http://www.crimedoctor.com/shoplifting).
In conclusion, shoplifting for millions of our citizens, is simply another way of coping with stressful life circumstances similar to overeating, drinking, drugs or gambling. It is not an issue of good vs. bad people, rich vs. poor, young vs. old or education vs. illiteracy (Segrave 83). At any time, or even many times in a person’s life, the temptation to “get something for nothing” and the desire to reward oneself can easily be present. By raising public awareness about the problem and delivering needed programs and services to people who shoplift, communities who engage in prevention efforts will reduce the number of people who become involved and improve the quality of life for all.
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