intercst
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“Having a police substation in a Walmart is a first, but officials believe an increased police presence will help to prevent in-store crime and make shoppers feel safer.”
Sounds good, but unless the local DA follows through with prosecution and jail time, not going to help.
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I fear that this is a symptom of a much bigger problem facing America. Someone once said something to the effect that “A democracy is only as good as the people within it”. The underlying assumption is that self-governance requires some level of responsible and ethical behavior.
If stores can no longer stay in business because Americans believe stealing is okay if you can get away with it, then we have probably crossed the threshold where the center can no longer hold and the grim choice becomes anarchy versus tyranny.
I think we definitely need more immigration, because the current batch of Americans don’t seem to be up to par. The young are robbing stores and the old are fat and addicted.
Perhaps bringing in people who are willing to walk across deserts and brave drug cartels to work for a better life is an infusion of character that America could use right now.
10 Likes
There seems to be a conflict between automation, self checkout, less manpower for savings and lower prices. Vs increases in theft.
Will extra police on site make a difference?
Depends where the lockup is located–and how secure it is.
I’m betting the police substations will be self service.
7 Likes
Maybe Nike should have located near a police station. As Leap would say, it’s all those white teens.
Nike will close its community store in Northeast Portland permanently, it told the neighborhood business district on Friday.
The Soul District Business Association said in a news release Friday that the “community was dealt a major economic blow” after Nike finalized its plan to close and vacate the store at 2650 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd…
Washington said he followed up with Nike earlier this week about the store’s status, and the sneaker company responded with news of the closure during a Zoom meeting on Friday morning. He said the sneaker giant blamed safety and security issues.
“Word about the store closing landed like a lead balloon,” he said. “Why close down a flagship store that has supported Black Portland for over 40 years? It was an economic driver in this area, and we should be looking at the long-term impact of that closure.”…
In February, Nike made a request to Mayor Ted Wheeler and city officials to detail off-duty policeofficers to provide security at the community store. Wheeler’s office, however, nixed the request for police attendants.
DB2
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Something is missing there. If the officers are “off duty”, does that mean they were expected to be the store’s security, for free? “Detail” implies the officers would be ordered to be store security. So, the officers, after pulling a full shift “on duty”, would then be ordered to patrol the store for hours more? Were I one of the officers, I would have several colorful things to say about being worked like that.
Steve
Click on through, my boy, click on through.
In a letter delivered to Mayor Ted Wheeler’s office and other local officials Thursday, Nike said it would cover the cost of the officers, according to a mayoral staffer and a community activist who’d seen the letter.
Although Nike did not release the letter or specify its contents to The Oregonian/OregonLive, the company sent a statement saying: “Because a safe and secure workplace is essential for our employees, consumers, and communities, we have proposed a sustained and coordinated partnership with the City to better protect employees, consumers, and the community surrounding our MLK Community Store.”
…“what Nike needs from the city to protect the public and staff at the store.”…Key to the request, he said, is that the off-duty officers would have the authority to arrest shoplifters or others who break the law…
Nike’s request for police officers to provide security is far from unprecedented. The Portland Police Bureau allows officers and sergeants to work for private entities through its secondary employment program. For years, uniformed police routinely guarded the entrance to Apple’s downtown Portland store.
DB2
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Thanks for the clarification. The earlier post, especially using the word “detail” made it sound mandatory. Policemen have been working as paid private security in many cities for a long time. There was a hilarious ep of the “Alien Nation” TV series that involved after-shift security work.
Steve
1 Like
Someone mentioned theft via shop lifting and employee theft.
Do Costco and Sam’s, which have “door receipt checkers”, have the same problems with these type thefts?
I don’t see receipt checkers stopping the blatant, broad daylight snatch and run type theft… But do they cut down on shop lifting and employee theft?
ralph
Different type of business. They are “membership” businesses, so the vast public does NOT tend to shop at them. The public CAN buy–but they pay a higher price (than prices to members). Plus, they DO check for membership BEFORE you enter. No membership, then limited access to a few areas (pharmacy, opotical, maybe 1-2 other departments). No checking for membership at Walmart, Target, etc because they sell to the general public.