Security Measures To Make Shoplifters Think Twice

Security Measures To Make Shoplifters Think Twice

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“Shoplifting is a victimless crime.” “Retailers are so rich they will hardly feel one pair of jeans missing from their inventory.” “Every item in that store is insured.”

Whether or not any of the above statements is true, the fact that shoplifting is illegal and punishable in a court of law remains. And with more and more shop owners putting more security measures in place to counter shoplifting, the chances of getting caught and charged for the crime are higher than ever.

The move by retailers to beef up security is perfectly understandable. After all, shoplifting is the number one property crime in North America, accounting for 38% of the reported inventory shrink among retailers in 2014, which is why the need for an Orange County shoplifting attorney is so great. This article takes a look at some of the countermeasures that are currently being put up by shop owners across the United States.

Shoplifting signs and security mirrors

Plastering signs against shoplifting all over the store is a low-cost way of discouraging shoplifters. A sign that says the store has electronic surveillance can make anyone think twice about pilfering anything from the shelves. Security mirrors, especially in stores that have taller shelves or more secluded areas, should also make thieves be paranoid about being seen stealing.

Basic video surveillance systems

There was a time when all security cameras could provide are grainy images that make positive identification of perpetrators tough. These days, however, the quality of security cams has dramatically improved, and they became cheaper as well.

Most stores, even the smaller ones, now have CCTV cameras in every corner. For sure, the sight of a camera can be an effective deterrent against shoplifting. Some retailers, however, have gone one better and paired their cameras with a monitor placed in a public space, mostly near the entrance. That way, would-be shoplifters would see themselves on screen, know the cameras are working and change their minds about stealing.

RFID tags

Most retail stores today have RFID (radio-frequency identification ) tags attached to their merchandise. These RFID tags could be in the form of a sticker or a pin-tag, which is usually used for clothing items. They are difficult to remove, and should give a shoplifter problems the moment he or she walks out the store, when the sensor wand by the door goes off.

Full time security guards

It’s true that for smaller businesses, hiring a full-time security guard can be costly. Bigger retailers, however, can afford the services of dedicated security personnel to keep an eye on all shoppers and employees. Some of these security guards wear uniforms, and the sight of them roaming around the store can strike fear and doubt in the hearts of thieves. They can, however, make shoppers uncomfortable as well, so some retailers have taken to hiring plain-clothes guards who can blend in with the crowd and easily pounce on an unsuspecting shoplifter.

With these deterrents in place, many shoplifters are now getting caught red-handed. Shoplifting, however, remains rampant. Some people even say it has become an epidemic. To know more about shoplifting and its consequences, check out this infographic made by Shah Law Firm.