Shoplifting Arrests Down Over 50%
Arrests for shoplifting in Lakewood are down 56% over the last 5 years. Reported shoplifting cases are also down but not by as much due to a sharp increase in reports last year.
Council Member Rich Olver recently made the point that the two Walmart stores on Wadsworth have taken out their self-checkout aisles. By speaking to the store managers, he confirmed this change was due to shoplifting. Olver noted that something must have changed for Walmart to go the expense of closing what was supposed to be a long-term investment for self-checkout lanes.
The visible proof at Walmart shows that shoplifting is up.
On March 12, there were reports that three busloads of people were dropped off at the Walmart on Colfax and Wadsworth. These three busloads of people reportedly came in, filled their carts and left without paying.
Click here for more on Douglas County policy to fine bus passenger drop off
Walmart has no official comment on the bus incident. Unfortunately, many business are unable to make comment on recent crime trends without enduring public backlash.
However, again, the proof of increasing shoplifting is in the change of checkout lanes. For years, stores in Lakewood have been putting up gates and extra security guards at most grocery stores.
Stores Face Difficulty Prosecuting
Stores have long been resigned to enduring loss through shoplifting. For one thing, the bar for prosecution is extremely high. Regular customers and store employees are deemed unreliable witnesses.
The store must get the accused to agree to wait for police without chasing them or restraining them.
The store must prove intent. Proving intent is almost always the act of concealment. If there is not a consistent witness throughout concealment, or if there is no concealment, the store may have a problem getting a court to pursue.
If the store is fairly confident they have the procedure right, they still have be sure the police will arrive “in reasonable time.”
If any of this goes wrong, the store could be sued for illegal detention or false imprisonment. There is no benefit of the doubt in the “Shopkeeper’s Privilege” to hold accused shoplifters.
On the other hand, Colorado and Lakewood are committed to diversion programs that will allow an offender to “avoid the collateral consequences associated with criminal charges and convictions”.
To sum up:
- Stores face high risk to pursue shoplifting charges
- Accused shoplifters face limited to ZERO consequences
- There is a high risk / low reward model to pursue charges
- There is a low risk / high reward model for shoplifters
There may be good reason for residents to believe shoplifting is increasing while arrests are decreasing in Lakewood news.
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