Shoplifting, in Bulk

Tonight, I was in a Walgreens drug store just before closing time - in this case, 9 p.m. (some Walgreens are open 24-hours). Significantly, this store had not locked up the more-expensive personal care items they sell, like shaving items and shampoo, as has become common in many California stores. 

Walking through the aisles, I noticed a man with an unusual shopping style. He was taking bottles of shampoo off the shelves and stuffing them into a large garbage bag. The bag was so heavy he could hardly move it. "Hmmm...," I thought. 

I wandered along on my own business. I almost forgot about the guy with the bag. Then someone spoke on the store intercom with a mix of sarcasm and wonderment: "The guy is in the back stuffing his bag!" Indeed! Plus, he was not alone. There were at least three, maybe four men, hauling bags out of the store. They were very businesslike in demeanor, and uncommunicative, as they made a big raid on the merchandise. They did not mask themselves but they averted their faces from cameras likely present in the store. There were no outward signs of guns. 

And the store employees did not interfere. They continued along with their tasks. Among them, I could sense an undercurrent of fear, yet they displayed a lackadaisical insouciance. I noticed one of the employees come in from outside, He was likely a security guard, perhaps catching a car's license plate number in the parking lot. 

"Was that a theft?" I asked an employee. "Oh yes." she replied. "It happens often." "It occurred to me I should interfere, " I continued. "Oh no, don't do that," she replied. Referring to her fellow workers, she said, "We're not security guards. Interfering is against corporate policy. The product is just product. We'll have some more product later this week." 

Reflecting, I think I've barely missed similar shoplifting episodes at other stores. One of the most controversial features of California's Proposition 47, passed in 2014, was the reduction of penalties for shoplifting, as long as the stolen goods have a value no more than $950. Criminals have taken this lenience as license to brazenly take whatever they want from stores. 

I favor reducing that $950 limit, but the resistance necessary to enforce that lower limit will put customers and employees alike at risk of violence. Insouciance won't be enough. 

Closing time is a risky time.

[UPDATE:  Jenny informs me that last year's Proposition 36 reduced the $950 limit.]