Chicago Sun-Times: Retail thefts here soar as economy slumps

[marmar]

Retail thefts here soar as economy slumps
UP 9.6% IN '08 | Sales of stolen goods boom as stores beef up security

July 18, 2009
BY SANDRA GUY [e-mail]


Kelly Bry, owner of Ouest Boutique in Wicker Park, has moved the most expensive of her chic women's dresses and outfits to the back of the store after two dresses worth $300 each were stolen from her shop last winter and a police flier recently warned her of robberies in the area.

"We just had a police officer come here to give me a flier about armed robberies in the area," said Bry, 30, who has run her boutique for three years. The police flier said the robber implies he has a gun and grabs cash from the register.

Chicago experienced a 9.6 percent increase in retail thefts in 2008 from 2007, to 11,289 incidents from 10,300, mirroring a national trend of increased shoplifting during a period of tough economic times, according to police reports and National Retail Federation data. So far this year, Chicago's thefts are down about 2.4 percent, but retailers and police are on alert for thefts brought on by dire economic conditions.

One Chicago Police district officer said signs of economic hardship pop up, including the May arrest for armed robbery of a suburban man with no prior record who said he needed to pay his mortgage.

In addition, some Chicago area retailers who refuse to disclose theft frequency have started installing anti-theft devices. Shoppers may have noticed new electronic-detection "pedestals" at the major entry and exit points at Nordstrom on Michigan Avenue, a new entry turnstile at a CVS drugstore in River North and security guards standing over the self-checkout lanes in local grocery stores. ..............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.suntimes.com/business/1672778,CST-NWS-retailtheft19.article

[imdjh]

1. "thefts brought on by dire economic conditions" ... Please.

I find it hard to view the theft of cocktail dresses as a sign of poverty. But then I'm one of those grouches who thinks that in a country where there are food banks, charities that give away everything from baby clothes to prom dresses and from furniture to cars, that people who steal are thieves rather than tragic victims.

[Frustratedlady]

2. We have daily listings of crimes and the shoplifting has soared.

Walgreens really gets hit, as does a grocery chain. It is nothing to be in Walgreen's store and have a police officer come in for another shoplifter. It appears they are going to wear them down before they quit.

I've also noticed that grocery carts contain more basic foods and little or no snacky items. Lots of beans, pasta and rice, but little meat or fresh fruit or veggies. Of course, it is also garden time or Farmers' Market. Our veggie prices in the store have gone thru the roof, so I think a lot of people are not buying veggies or fruit from any source.