Minor offense has major economic implications
By Joe Kleinsasser
 Kids generally shoplift such things as cigarettes, compact discs, jewelry and makeup, according to interviews conducted by WSU criminologist Paul Cromwell. |
Shoplifting is not the most talked about or most notorious crime, but it is the most economically damaging crime in the United States, according to criminologist Paul Cromwell.
No one knows how much shoplifters steal, but it’s generally accepted that shoplifting and employee thefts account for losses of $15-30 billion a year.
During the past nine years, Cromwell, director of WSU’s School of Community Affairs, studied shoplifting in Florida, Texas and Kansas, interviewing more than 320 shoplifters. Much of this research is found in his recent book, "In Their Own Words – Criminals on Crime," published in 1999 by Roxbury Publishing Co. in Los Angeles.
"Shoplifting, although it is a minor offense, has major economic implications for the consuming public," says Cromwell.
Earlier this year, Cromwell and WSU graduate student Jason Curtis interviewed 116 juvenile shoplifters ages 12 to 17. They found that juveniles were involved in shoplifting for three major reasons:
- They want something and don’t want to pay for it even though they usually have the money to buy the product.
- They enjoy the thrill and excitement of beating the system.
- Peer pressure.
Juveniles generally shoplift such things as cigarettes, compact discs, costume jewelry, makeup, and clothing. Most of the interviewed juveniles had shoplifted more than 10 times.
Cromwell and Curtis say that most juvenile shoplifters know stealing is wrong, but they are good at neutralizing their guilt. Shoplifters frequently characterize their crimes as victimless or as the victim deserved it.
Adult shoplifters steal for the same reasons as juveniles, along with other reasons. Cromwell’s study found that adults shoplift for these additional reasons:
- Some
steal for a living. Forty-six of the 320 adults interviewed stole for
a living.
- Don’t
have the money to buy the item.
- Impulse.
- Under
the influence of drugs and alcohol.
- Stress.
- Compulsive behavior, which they say they don’t understand.
Adult shoplifters steal many of the same things as juveniles, along with more expensive things, like meat, batteries, books, and electronic items that can be resold.
Contrary to popular belief, more men than women are shoplifters. Cromwell says about 69-70 percent of apprehended shoplifters are male.
"Shoplifting is perhaps the most commonly committed crime," says Cromwell. "It is widely distributed in the population and appears to cross racial, ethnic, gender and class lines."
If a shoplifter is caught, the amount of the theft usually results in a misdemeanor, not a felony.
Shoplifters are stealing us blind – does anybody care?
Cromwell cites several reasons for the lack of public interest in shoplifting. First, most shoplifting is a minor, nonviolent offense. It doesn’t cause public outrage or fear.
"It is seldom the focus of legislative or media investigations," Cromwell says. "In fact, most studies place shoplifting near the bottom of the seriousness scale, along with such offenses as painting graffiti and trespassing."
Second, shoplifters do not conform to most people’s perception of a criminal. They tend to be demographically an average person. It’s not uncommon for professional shoplifters to be creative and charismatic.
Many consider shoplifting to be a folk crime. "Shoplifting may be the one crime that most people have committed at one time or another in their lives," says Cromwell.
Another reason for the relative lack of interest in shoplifting is the public’s attitude toward the victim.
"While most people understand that the costs of shoplifting are passed on to the consumer through higher prices, few people view a large, impersonal department store or other commercial establishment with much sympathy," he says.
Ways shoplifting can be curtailed
If shoplifting is an economic war, shoplifters are winning. However, society shouldn’t wave a white flag.
Shoplifters are easily deterred if the threat of getting caught is obvious, Cromwell says. When a store has a reputation for arresting and prosecuting shoplifters, they tend to give it a wide berth. When shoplifters know they are being watched, they leave the store immediately.
"Effective shoplifting control requires visible and obvious threat communications," says Cromwell. "Stores should post signs stating their policies regarding shoplifting. Where the rules are clearly and openly established and stated, people tend to adhere to them."
Strategic placement of store clerks’ work stations and the layout of display counters, check-out areas and dressing rooms can reduce shoplifting.
Third, if store personnel openly watched suspected shoplifters, following them around the store, most of them would leave without committing an offense.
"However, there is little glory or credit given to employees who scare off potential thieves. Most store security personnel prefer to apprehend suspected shoplifters and will observe them covertly, waiting for a theft to occur before revealing themselves."
When shoplifters are caught, Cromwell says, police, prosecutors and courts must agree to aggressively prosecute the crime.
"If shoplifters find that they are rarely arrested, unlikely to be convicted if arrested, and unlikely to receive a substantial punishment if convicted, then they may justifiably begin to believe that they are free to commit their offenses at will.
"Policies, once established, should be carried out faithfully," he says. "If the policy is to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law, as the anti-shoplifting signs often threaten, then stores should follow through on the promise. These actions reverberate throughout the shoplifter population and should quickly pay dividends in reduced levels of theft."
