News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Shoplifting is an increasing problem for Sisters retailers.
Stores from Ray's Food Place to Common Threads to Sisters Drug Co. and many others have had repeated incidents where people - sometimes brazenly - simply take what they want and walk out. Some manage to sneak away; an increasing percentage are caught and have a date in court, which may or may not make the retailer whole.
The impact can be significant, especially in tough economic times where every dollar counts.
"There is no magic write-off or deduction for the stolen items if they aren't recovered," says Rosie Horton, owner of Common Threads. "Those missing dollars aren't magically replaced either. They are just gone. With the cost of raw goods like cotton increasing dramatically over the last year-and-a-half, and freight on the rise every month, shoplifting just adds insult to injury for all businesses, especially the mom-and-pop small businesses."
Jeff McDonald, manager of Ray's Food Place, faces a continual problem, one that many supermarkets have to address.
"We know that shoplifting is a major source of loss for us," he told The Nugget. "We are very concerned as a company and have recently established a new department in our corporate structure entirely devoted to loss prevention."
Sometimes it's teenagers making a grab for something cool, but at least as often it's adults, the same demographic that shops in the stores.
It's hard to say exactly why shoplifting seems to be on the rise. It may have something to do with both culture and economy. People still want all the nice things a consumer-oriented culture puts before them, but they lack the cash to buy them. So, people are tempted to make an impulse grab instead of an impulse purchase.
"I think it's mostly a sign of the times," says Stefanie Grant, manager at Sisters Drug Co. "I think it's the instant gratification thing that we have in society and I think a lot of people are resorting to that who ordinarily wouldn't."
It may not always be impulse, though. Grant says she suspects some shoplifters target Sisters stores, especially when things are busy. Floor staff get distracted serving customers and shoplifters take advantage.
Deputy Eric Kozowski of the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office has been working with local merchants to address the problem. He met with several on Monday to offer tips on loss prevention, from burglary to shoplifting.
In an interview with The Nugget, Kozowski said awareness of the problem is the first step toward prevention.
"Pay attention to what's going on in your store, obviously," he said.
You can't treat every customer as a suspect, but be alert for suspicious behavior. Someone who is constantly looking around as if to see whether you're watching may be up to no good.
Your eyes can't be everywhere, but technology can help. And just knowing they're on camera may deter a shoplifter.
"One thing that I really encourage is that people have video surveillance - and advertise it," Deputy Kozlowski said.
Of course, that's an added cost of business, too, but it may be a current necessity.
The vast majority of customers are honest - and many express outrage when they learn of thefts from their favorite stores. It detracts from what is generally a pleasant environment in Sisters, one that merchants work hard to cultivate.
"When you try your best to create a friendly, welcoming atmosphere in your business and be helpful to people that come through your doors, it's such a slap in the face when you find that they have stolen from you," Horton said. "It makes you feel violated. I liken the whole shoplifting experience to being at someone's house, seeing something you like on their coffee table and when they aren't looking just taking it. Hey, they might not miss it, right? It doesn't matter, no one got hurt? It's just so sad and
disheartening."
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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