NCJ Number
61468
Date Published
1976
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THIS 14TH ANNUAL SHOPLIFTER SURVEY VERIFIES THE LARGE AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL DAMAGE BEING DONE TO RETAIL STORES BY THESE OFFENDERS AND DISCUSSES PROSECUTION AS A DETERRENT.
Abstract
SUPERMARKETS, DRUG STORES, AND DISCOUNT STORES REPORT CONTINUING LOSSES FROM SHOPLIFTERS, WITH THE RESULTANT ADDITION TO OPERATING COSTS. THE 22,963 SUBJECTS SURVEYED REPORTED STEALING A TOTAL AMOUNT OF GOODS WORTH $151,724.00 FROM DRUG, DISCOUNT, AND GROCERY STORES. THESE SUBJECTS WERE PERSONS APPREHENDED IN OR LEAVING THE STORE; THEIR AVERAGE 'TAKE' WAS $18.12 IN GOODS FOR ADULTS AND $10.10 FOR JUVENILES. PROSECUTION IS A DETERRENT AGAINST FURTHER SHOPLIFTING, BUT NOT ALL SHOPLIFTERS APPREHENDED ARE PROSECUTED. REASONS FOR THIS INCLUDE THE MERCHANT'S EXPENSE (SURVEILLANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE TIME) FOR PROSECUTING, THE STANDARDS OF PROOF REQUIRED, AND THE MERCHANTS' DISLIKE OF EXPOSURE TO CIVIL LIABILITY. TABLES SUMMARIZE THE REPORT ACCORDING TO KIND OF RETAIL STORE SURVEYED, COMPARISON OF MALE AND FEMALE ACTIVITY, AND KIND OF ACTIVITY RESULTING FOR CASES TURNED OVER TO THE POLICE OR DROPPED. THE DATA ALSO CONSIDERS TIME OF DAY, WEEK, OR MONTH THE CRIME TAKES PLACE, AGE AND SEX, KIND OF MERCHANDISE STOLEN, AND AVERAGE NUMBER OF ARTICLES RECOVERED. (RFC)