While the helping hand from Langford Mayor Stew Young might have made unique, shoplifting is hardly a rare occurrence, according to Western Foods manager Jeff Stewart.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a major problem,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檇 say we probably catch somebody almost every day and every day we donB次元官网网址檛 catch one it makes me think about who we missed.B次元官网网址�
Stewart would like to see police take a stronger stance against a crime he says is common throughout the retail industry, noting that theft doesnB次元官网网址檛 just hurt the retailer.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 hard to keep prices down when theft is a major issue.B次元官网网址�
Stewart noted that shoplifters come in all shapes and sizes, from teenagers right up to seniors. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 whoever thinks itB次元官网网址檚 a good idea to grab a thing of cheese and stuff it in their purse,B次元官网网址� he said.
While the storeB次元官网网址檚 policy is to prosecute all shoplifters, that doesnB次元官网网址檛 always mean charges are laid.
West Shore RCMP media relations officer Const. Alex Berube understands the frustration from store owners, but noted there are numerous elements to be considered when police are deciding whether to recommend charges to Crown prosecutors.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 always based on the evaluation of the information thatB次元官网网址檚 provided to us. We always need to determine the substance of the allegations,B次元官网网址� Berube said. B次元官网网址淲e need to determine whether itB次元官网网址檚 in the publicB次元官网网址檚 interest to forward a report to Crown council (and if) there is a likelihood of conviction.B次元官网网址�
Other factors could also be taken into consideration, including the individual circumstances of the suspect. For example, police will B次元官网网址渄o everything they canB次元官网网址� when it comes to pursuing charges against a repeat offender, while a parent trying to feed their kids might be dealt with differently.
B次元官网网址淵es, there have to be consequences to shoplifting, itB次元官网网址檚 illegal. But we have different venues of prosecuting,B次元官网网址� Berube said, noting that restorative justice is often used. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not always about bringing someone to court.B次元官网网址�
In addition to electronic security measures at the store entrance, Western Foods also employs undercover security staff to patrol the aisles on occasion, Stewart said.
On April 13, a shoplifter was pursued by employees of the store while Mayor Young was making his way through the roundabout on Goldstream Avenue. The mayor helped the employees apprehend the suspect before police arrived on scene.
The investigation is ongoing, but Berube declined to comment on whether charges were likely.
joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com
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