Shoplifting Essay

Shoplifting has become a huge problem that continues to grow year to year. Habitual shoplifters steal about 2 times a week on average (“Shoplifting Statistics”). Also, shoplifting gangs are gaining popularity fast due to the large profits they are making. No matter what the type of shoplifter, there is a problem. Laws and regulations are in place to try to stop shoplifters, but are proving ineffective due to the continuing rise in shoplifting deficits. Therefore, alternate crime fighting strategies should be considered such as classical music. Classical music has proven to be an effective weapon against crime due to its soothing nature making it a good option for malls and stores in their fight against the problem of shoplifting that continues

For instance, it is estimated that only about one in every 150 shoplifters is caught by the police and apprehended (Clarke and Petrossian). In fact, shoplifters themselves have admitted that when shoplifting they are caught on average once in every 48 incidences, and after they have been caught, they are only turned over to the police 50% of the time (“Shoplifting Statistics”). Even after being caught, 57% of adults and 33% of teenagers say that they continue shoplifting anyway (“Shoplifting Statistics”). Overall, one in eleven people in the United States shoplifts today adding up to a staggering 27 million American, and over the last five years, more than 10 million shoplifters have been caught (“Shoplifting Statistics”). All things considered, shoplifting is a major problem that needs to be dealt with in multiple

These shoplifting charges can range anywhere from the lowest level infractions, to misdemeanors, to the most serious felony charges in some states (“Shoplifting”). Although shoplifting can be charged in all of these ways, “The vast majority of shoplifting incidents are treated as misdemeanors and the punishment is often no more than a written citation or a few nights in jail, according to a report prepared by the national Retail Federation (Barbaro).” Misdemeanors could also result in a fine or probation while felonies typically result in a longer jail sentence, probation, or a larger fine (“Shoplifting”). In other states, shoplifting and other theft offenses are charged separately from each other. In this case, shoplifting is usually treated less severely than standard theft offenses (Goguen). No matter where the shoplifting charge occurs, logically, the higher the dollar amount stolen the more severe the charge becomes (“Shoplifting”). In addition to the basic laws and regulations, there is also a civil law in every state that says that any person who is caught shoplifting or their parent/guardian if they are a minor could potentially be held civilly liable to the store that they have stolen from. David Goguen, a Criminal Defense Lawyer, explains this process in his article “Shoplifting