US store owners are worried about shoplifting - what can be done?

[genxlib]

18. No doubt it is a problem

I see this is the unintended consequences attached to trying to win a battle but losing a war.

Over the last decade, retailers have tried to lower their liability by implementing policies that tell their employees not to intervene.

For instance https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/why-shoplifters-are-often-not-pursued-by-retail-staff/BTDZYMQDWBELPO2CVT3VI5FV2Q/

Initially, this was a simple calculation to absorb the losses versus the liability of people getting hurt.

However, it doesn't take a rocket scientists to understand that such a policy will result in more crime as the criminals recognize a soft target where they are very unlikely to even be challenged let alone arrested.

It's a mess.

I liken it to ambulance chasing frivolous law-suits. Long ago, the insurance companies decided it was often easier to settle than fight. That only encourages more lawsuits.