Shoplifting

Business Shoplifting Prevention 

Prevention Measures

  1. Keep shelves and displays low and aisles clear to increase visibility.
  2. Provide adequate lighting and eliminate blind spots.
  3. Lock small valuable items in cabinets and keep other valuables away from store exits.  Minimize the shoplifter’s access to valuable items.
  4. Post signs warning that shoplifters will be prosecuted.
  5. Utilize convex mirrors and one-way glass in offices.
  6.  Encourage employees to greet customers as they enter the store.  One phrase every shoplifter hates to hear is “can I help you?”   Make the shoplifter feel watched.  Watch customer’s eyes. If they are looking at you they may need help or they may be watching to see if you are watching (“can I help you?”).  Good customer service goes hand in hand with shoplifting prevention.
  7. Keep a close eye on people that seem nervous or refuse assistance.
  8. Maintain a neat, orderly store with tight inventory controls.
  9. Develop a store policy and training for shoplifting incidents.
  10. Train your sales people to watch for, a) people with loose or baggy clothing inappropriate for weather, b) people with large bags, c) props such as newspapers, strollers, briefcases, or other props that can conceal merchandise.
  11. If hanging clothing on racks near the front of the store or along the sidewalk alternate hangers to prevent thieves from quickly grabbing bundles of display clothing.
  12. Arrange merchandise neatly to make it easier to detect missing items.
  13.  Be aware of teams of shoplifter’s trying tactics to confuse and distract you.  Shoplifters often operate when sales people are busy helping legitimate customers.     
  14. Watch for customers wondering aimlessly through the store or in the store longer than usual handling many different types of merchandise.
  15. Watch regular customers who shop when there are few people working or visit the store frequently but only make token purchases.
  16. Be knowledgeable of the shoplifting laws in the Durango.

Stopping a Shoplifter

If you suspect someone has lifted and concealed something, keep him or her in sight and notify a manager, security personnel or another employee immediately.  Develop a plan with your store to decide prior to the incident happening if you will contact the person while the other person is contacting the police or you notify the police and continue watching and following the suspect.  An employee should not try to detain the suspect unless he or she has been trained in apprehension and arrest procedures.  Personal safety should always take priority over retrieving property or detaining a shoplifter.

Durango Shoplifting Law:

Article V  Sec. 17-76 Obtaining goods, services or money under false pretenses.

It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly obtain or exercise control over anything of another with the value of less than five hundred dollars ($500.00), or to obtain goods, services or money from another without authorization, or by threat or deception, if the person:

  1. Intends to deprive the other person permanently of the use or benefit of the thing of value; or
  2. Knowingly uses, conceals or abandons the thing of value in such a manner as to deprive the other person permanently of the use or benefit ;or
  3. Uses, conceals or abandons the thing of value intending the such use, concealment  or abandonment will deprive the other person permanently of its use or benefit; or
  4. Demands any consideration to which that person is not legally entitled as a condition of restoring the thing of value to the other person.