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orchid62497

How do you feel about shaming shoplifters? Some stores in my area post still photos from their surveillance videos on walls and in windows of people they claim have been caught shoplifting in the store. In general, I don't particularly care for it. If it were for employee knowledge to keep an eye out for particular people, I could see that. But posting it in view of customers can only be for the purpose of shaming. Many stores here add labels such as "I'm a thief" or "I like to steal" to the photos. One particular store near me has posted photos in the window that they have captioned very specifically commenting on the physical appearance of one alleged shoplifter, photos below, which I find wrong no matter how one looks at it because the physical appearance of the person has absolutely nothing to do with the crime they are accused of. I think my biggest issue, aside from the making fun of physical appearance which is just at the one shop, is that as a passerby seeing these photos posted it is only the word of the store saying they are shoplifters. I cannot know whether these people actually did steal anything or are just suspected (generally the photos show the person's face, but do not show the act of actually shoplifting). Were these people charged and found guilty or am I looking at a photo presuming guilt just because the store says they are guilty? I apologize, I am terrible at framing debates or conversations. I am, perhaps, sensitive to this due to a personal experience in which I had a police officer approach me in a store and accuse me of shoplifting because the employees claimed I was suspicious. Apparently I was suspicious because, after having a baby, I wasn't sure what size jeans my fat ass could fit into and was taking too long browsing. I absolutely did not steal anything and was able to prove that to the officer who approached me, but I can't help but think if I wasn't approached and questioned, would my photo have been slapped up on a wall with a claim that I am a shoplifter? It's a possibility that bothers me. ETA: I worked loss prevention in a big box store and know that typically there has to be a chain of proof (i.e. seeing concealment, maintaining continuous visual contact until passing point of sale) before detaining and making the accusation, but this protocol is not always followed and not all businesses have the same protocol so it is possible for inaccurate accusations to be made.

Like Reply 24 CommentsNewest FirstOldest FirstViolation ReportedReport as InappropriateSSomewhatOfALegend

This is a horrible practice. Mainly because BIPOC are far more likely to be profiled, followed, accused, and have the police called on them. The photo gender shaming the person is disgusting.

The general way business approach stealing already disproportionately negatively impacts BIPOC (locking up specific hair products) and this is another example of that.

Stealing is wrong, of course, and there is no issue with having visible cameras and signage to discourage shoplifting. This is taking it too far.

Eta LikeViolation ReportedReport as Inappropriateorchid62497@SomewhatOfALegend,

I agree with this in regards to BIPOC. The majority of posted photos that I see are indeed black women. I live in a popular tourist beach city where, in my observation, the larger majority of the tourists who frequent the shops are white yet it is largely photos of black women in the windows. The gender shaming on that one shop window really bothers me as well. I just truly don't see a need for it. If that woman did in fact steal, what does her appearance have to do with it? I don't really have need to frequent this shop because it's a souvenir store, but because of that post in the window I would not ever shop there. LikeViolation ReportedReport as InappropriateShutUpFish

Yeah, I hate it. In my area the judge basically has the option of sentencing you to public humiliation if you get caught stealing. You have to wear two giant posters, one in front and the other in back, attached with a chain over the shoulders that says, "I stole from Walmart" or "I got caught shoplifting at walmart"- something along those lines. And you have to walk up and down the road in front of the business for hours. People driving by sometimes honk, yell or throw things out of their car windows. I just think, what if this was someone stealing something because they needed to eat? Or their kid needed some new shoes or school supplies? It just makes me sad. LikeViolation ReportedReport as Inappropriateorchid62497@ShutUpFish,

I've seen that here a few times. It makes me sad. We have a large homeless population here and the ones I've seen with this sentence have been from among that population. LikeViolation ReportedReport as InappropriateShutUpFish

100% real. I've posted about it here before.

It's like this with big, black and red lettering. LikeViolation ReportedReport as Inappropriateccrawdiddly

This is a horrible practice. I hate it.

I also don't care if people shoplift honestly. It's such a nothing of a crime, especially compared to the wage theft retail employers are constantly getting away with. LikeViolation ReportedReport as InappropriateBBlackheart01

Maybe they shouldn’t have face plastered but you think the employees can remember faces like that? Doubtful. And I guess I’m one of the few who thinks stealing is wrong. Point blank period. You do something bad you get repercussions. LikeViolation ReportedReport as Inappropriateorchid62497@Blackheart01,

Why would employees need photos in shop windows facing the street to remember? If that were the purpose, they would be put in an area accessible to employees not in a window facing the outside which employees cannot see from inside. LikeViolation ReportedReport as InappropriateBBlackheart01@orchid62497,

It’s about humiliation. LikeViolation ReportedReport as Inappropriatedatmommy@Blackheart01,

I agree with you. I’ve noticed a few people on various platforms say things like “if it a a chain it’s free reign.” Implying that stealing from places like Walmart or target is okay. It’s not. Stealing from store like those only hurt employees (they get their hours cut) and other customers (prices go up and supply issues are created.) Stealing from anyone at any point is wrong. LikeViolation ReportedReport as InappropriateSunsOutBunsOut

We’ve always had something like this in my place of employment when I was either working in a store or restaurant. But.. it was where only the employees could see LikeViolation ReportedReport as Inappropriateorchid62497@SunsOutBunsOut,

I can understand for employees to see. I've not ever had them in use where I've worked though other loss prevention officers in other stores did have walls in their offices. These particular ones in my area are in shop windows so the employees can't even see them. They face outwards from the store for public to see rather than employees. LikeViolation ReportedReport as Inappropriateblepkot

When I worked security, nothing was done about theft under $500. No one even came out to humor them. That's why the shopping center hired security. They weren't all big stores that could take $200 loss every other day. Some of the stores had their little walls of shame. Maybe it's just the way it's done here, but there were always two pictures. One was the clearest face shot and one was them running out the door. I don't mind it done like that.

But the way it's pictured in your post is questionable. LikeViolation ReportedReport as Inappropriateorchid62497@blepkot,

See, I think if there were also pictures of the person actually concealing or even running away I could understand more. But with just the face, it's just having to take it for fact that those people stole just because the store said so. For the ones here, I definitely take most issue with personal commentary on the one person's appearance. That seems more revenge-like than anything to me. LikeViolation ReportedReport as InappropriateOlive4000

The only store I've ever seen do this in my area is an antique shop. A place with zero necessity, meaning they sell no food, medicine, no useful clothing (a few vintage pieces). Three stories of antiques, no security guard, run by two elderly ladies, wall-to-wall security cameras. If they catch you stealing on camera the photo goes on the wall. LikeViolation ReportedReport as InappropriateMMayorCutie918@Olive4000,

I haven’t seen it where I live. But I get what you’re saying about stealing from places that don’t sell necessities.

My uncle owns and runs a gift shop on a small island off of New England only accessibly by a ferry. Tourists steal from him ALL THE TIME and he’ll share the security images on the stores Instagram and Facebook. They’re stealing beach towels and t shirts, not food for their starving children.

It’s really frustrating for him as it’s a small business, he only makes money during the summer months, and they basically had no season last year due to covid. I do cringe a little when he posts the photos on socials, but I also feel for him. LikeViolation ReportedReport as InappropriateTaylorsVersion

Odd one out here, but if you’re going to steal you should feel humiliated. I don’t think it’s the best way to handle it but I don’t see the issue, they’re criminals. Play stupid games win stupid prizes. LikeViolation ReportedReport as InappropriateTurdFerg@TaylorsVersion,

I agree. Although they shouldn't be making comments on appearances. LikeViolation ReportedReport as InappropriateCCAGMom

San Francisco would have a hell of a time keeping up if businesses did this. I think the business can do what they want but I also believe posting photos is lame. As lame as stealing. Also, many steal formula and sell it in exchange for cash so even if the item appears to be stolen out of “need” it is often not the case. LikeViolation ReportedReport as InappropriateQueenOfSheeba

“Believe it or not its a girl”

What a fecking a hole Like

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