The Bunker Blog

There sure seems to be a lot of panic going on. Many companies are scaling WAY back, consumers seem to be drastically reducing spending. We in loss prevention face some incredible challenges, if we are still employed. I know that many companies are cutting payroll, cutting anything considered “unnecessary” spending. So, I’d like to ask a simple question: “Is it time to hit the panic button?” 

In other words, are you in crisis mode? If you are in loss prevention, what are you seeing? Are you becoming more concerned with internal theft? Are you seeing an increase in external theft? Are your awareness and protection programs being dropped by the wayside because they cost too much time and money?

I’m not convinced that we are in Crisis as an industry yet, but I can see us getting there soon, if things don’t change. Do you agree? Disagree? Let’s talk about this…

photo credit: kryst£n

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Asia Jordan allegedly attempted to steal more than $300.00 from her local Walmart in Covedale, OH by stuffing the merchandise into her 2-year-old daughter’s stroller. When store Loss Prevention agents approached her, she ran off, leaving the stroller and her child behind.

She was arrested a short time later and charged with shoplifting and child endangerment.

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In Omaha, Nebraska, a 35-year-old mom enlisted the aid of her 10-year-old daughter while shoplifting from a local grocery store. According to reports, an off-duty police officer observed “Mom” hand the daughter a cheesecake from the shelf at the store. Mom then selected a case of beer and some chicken. Both of them then attempted to exit without paying for the merchandise.

They were stopped by the off-duty cop, who then called the incident in. When police arrived, mom was charged with felony shoplifting due to prior arrests, and was cited for misdemeanor child neglect. Child Protective Services is investigating.

This mom had at least 4 prior arrests for shoplifting. Does anyone really believe this was the first time she has involved her child? As far as the CPS investigation goes, what’s to investigate? She handed her child a cake and directed her to steal it. Seems pretty simple to me. The sad thing is that the shoplifting charge is much more serious than the child neglect charge, at least legally speaking.

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