NCJ Number
94077
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 23 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1981) Pages: 57-68
Date Published
1981
Length
12 pages
Annotation
A collaborative model of shoplifting prevention in Fredericton, New Brunswick (Canada) involved practitioners, community groups, and researchers in an effort to achieve the intermediate goals of (1) mass community involvement and responsibility in dealing with shoplifting, (2) community awareness of the seriousness of shoplifting, and (3) reducing the frequency of shoplifting rates and the loss to merchants.
Abstract
Specific groups involved in the shoplifting prevention program were students, store employees, store managers, police, probation officials, representatives from the prosecutor's office, and representatives from the University and the Chamber of Commerce. Duties were assigned to four promotional committees to plan and organize support and participation from the merchant community and store employees; activities and input related to junior high, high school, and university students; the dissemination of campaign materials and media coverage; and the assessment and evaluation of the entire project. To evaluate program outcome, the following measures were assessed: (1) comparison of shoplifting rates for 1977 and 1978 in terms of frequency of charges or prosecution and the frequency of apprehensions in three large national stores and (2) the effects of the program on merchant losses and attitudes as well as methods of dealing with offenders. The program was successful in achieving its goals. Implications for community research are discussed, and references are listed.