Law Enforcement and the Loss Prevention Agent – Atlanta Georgia

February 7, 2011 by

It is the primary job of a loss prevention agent to apprehend shoplifters and detain them until the police arrive. At which time it is the police officer’s job to either arrest the shoplifter or issue them a citation for retail theft (depending on the law in the city or town you happen to be working in). Therefore it is vital that the loss prevention agent build and maintain a working relationship with their local law enforcement agency.

Over the years I have managed to establish a rapport with several great police officers who are happy to show up when called and do what needs to be done. However, I have heard a number of horror stories from others in this line of work. In certain cases I’ve been told of officers showing up and being irritated, or “having an attitude”, about having to arrest the subject. Others have complained about being treated like a criminal themselves by the responding officers. To this I quote the old adage “You never get a second chance to make a first impression”.

It is vital that as a loss prevention agent you follow all of the proper steps to making an apprehension, have your facts straight and have all the necessary paperwork in order for the officer when he/ she arrives – every time. See, nobody likes having to clean up somebody else’s mess – including the police. If your work is shoddy and unprofessional you can expect to be treated as being unprofessional. Be confident and precise, show the proper attention to detail and before you know it a great working relationship will have been established between law enforcement and the loss prevention agent.

For more information about loss prevention consultants or loss prevention investigator contact us: Loss Prevention Agent or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

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Prevent Shoplifting by Juveniles

February 7, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Prevent Shoplifting by Juveniles

Juveniles aren’t the only customers that shoplift by any means. But the National Crime Prevention Council estimates that 25% of all shoplifters are between the ages of 13 and 17.  This age group has always presented a problem to retailers, but lately gang activity and the use of juvenile shoplifters by adults has only added to the problem’s magnitude.

Various reasons are given for why kids steal from stores: Peer pressure, rebellion, greed, immaturity, and lack of supervision are often cited.  All of these reasons are valid.  Juveniles also tend to think that they won’t get caught and if they do, nothing will happen to them.

Teen shoplifting is such a problem that special programs have been set up by some law enforcement agencies to specifically deal with it.

I worked with a local county probation office as a facilitator for a program designed to prevent shoplifting among juveniles by teaching teenagers (and their parents) just how costly shoplifting could be.  Juveniles and some of their parents downplay the crime of shoplifting as a minor inconvenience and not really so bad.

Admittedly it is not as bad as some crimes, but some law enforcement officers consider it a “gateway crime”, often leading to greater crimes.

Some things I noticed in conversation with juvenile shoplifters and their parents.

§ Juvenile shoplifters were rarely alone.  They were usually with in pairs or with a group.
§ The juveniles were often not where their parents thought they were, and were not with the people they were supposed to be with.
§ Most of them knew someone who had shoplifted and gotten away with it.
§ Most didn’t need the item they stole.  They tended to steal items that were trendy, or insignificant.
§ Juvenile shoplifters were seldom “good” at the act of shoplifting.  They tended to use the more obvious ways and were only able to get away with it because store staff ignored them.
§ The parents were amazed to find that their son or daughter shoplifted, despite unexplained new clothes and other items that appeared in their child’s closet.

The storeowner is faced with several options when he is being taken advantage of by juvenile shoplifters.

He can keep them out of his store, which is bad for business.  He can instruct staff to stick to them like a flea while they do their shop(lift)ing, which is not always possible when they split up or staff is busy elsewhere.  Install retail theft devices that alert when unpaid for merchandise leaves the store, such as those offered by Checkpoint Security Systems.

If one of these is actually caught in the act, there are two choices (besides letting them go):  Call the authorities or call their parents.  You never let a juvenile go on his own, or you could open yourself up for liability.

It is recommended that the authorities get involved, as there is usually some type of diversion program available for first timers, and if they are not first timers, more appropriate action can be taken.

For ideas on how to prevent shoplifting at your retail business call 770-426-0547 or click Stop Shoplifting.  Visit our online store at Online Loss Prevention Store.

 

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Managing Retail Shrinkage – Atlanta Georgia

February 7, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Retail shrinkage is like death and taxes – inevitable. If you spend all your time beating your head against the wall trying to lower your shrink in your shoe department to zero, you can be sure that there will be big screen TV’s from your electronics department marching freely out your front door. You’re not going to be able to stop it all; to even entertain that thought is folly. What you need to do is find an acceptable way to manage your retail shrinkage so that your business remains a profitable one.

First you have to realize where your retail shrinkage is coming from. These days it is measured that 70% of losses in the retail industry come from theft, either shoplifting or internal theft. Believe it or not, that’s the good news. The bad news is that number seems to be on the rise. It is believed that this increase is a result of the global economic crisis mixed with unstable energy costs which get passed on to consumers raising the prices of goods across the board. Higher prices + lower income = more theft.

Now, I’ve found that the best way to manage retail shrinkage is to learn to think like a shoplifter. Anticipate the merchandise that will be most attractive to them place a priority on the security of that merchandise. For instance, if you run a children’s clothing store there’s no point in wasting your efforts securing your Elmo merchandise when SpongeBob is the hottest thing out this year. When it comes to internal theft I suggest surveillance, surveillance, surveillance. In the words of Niccolo Machiavelli, “It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.” Let it be known that you are watching and that you will prosecute any violators to the fullest extent of the law. Practice this and you’ll find your retail shrinkage becoming more manageable each day.

For more information about retail loss contact us at Retail Shrinkage or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

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Checkpoint Security Systems & Alpha Hard Tags Anti Shoplifting Solutions

February 6, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Alpha High Theft Solutions, which is a Checkpoint Security Systems company, has an incredible anti shoplifting offering in the Checkpoint hard tag world. Alphas hard tag construction is far superior to anything else on the market. These hard tags are meant to last and show little wear.

Fashion2 Hard Tag – This tag is awesome! Only 2.75 inches long by 0.5 inches high and wide it is one of the smallest on the market. The pickup is still as sensitive as most stores need. It is a tag that will complement stores merchandise by staying out of the way. Its compact size does not allow for a flex string hole. It will accept standard pins. The seams are real solid. Use the Alpha Fashion2 on shoes and small items such as coin purses. The Fashion2 is beige in color.

Fashion2 Accessory Hard Tag – This takes the fashion2 into another world. It has an integrated 3-inch cable. It is used the same way you would use a traditional Checkpoint Security Systems mini hard tag and flex string. The big differences are that the cable is part of the hard tag and does not get separated easily. AND this is a very robust aircraft style cable. It is three times the thickness of a flex string and is clear vinyl coated. The Fashion2 Accessory Hard Tag cable also comes in 9-inch lengths.

Eyewear Tag – Small and light. The Eyewear Tag clamps down on the stems of prescription eyewear or sunglasses. The Eyewear Tag requires a special tool to remove it at the POS. Anti shoplifting in the eyewear arena is a tricky issue. Bulk and weight can be a problem with today’s lightweight frames. This new tag will resolve both of those issues.

NEW Ink Tag – This is a real departure for ink tags. This tag has the 8.2 MHz hard tag built into it. The red and yellow glass ink vials are set deep inside the tag. The clearly written warnings to shoplifters are printed directly on the ink tag, which precludes you from having to use a separate warning label as before. The pin is a very different concept. The pin back is clear plastic and the same size as the ink tag (50 mm) wide. This is a very compact, stout ink tag. Construction is what you would expect from Alpha High Shrink Solutions and Checkpoint Security Systems.

For more information about checkpoint security systems or checkpoint security tags  anti shoplifting or retail anti theft devices or checkpoint systems or retail theft prevention contact us at anti shoplifting or visit our Online Checkpoint & Alpha Store.

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Checkpoint Systems – Anti Shoplifting

February 5, 2011 by Leave a Comment

When it comes to protecting your merchandise from theft yet continuing to make it accessible for customers, Checkpoint systems may be the best thing going. You can put forth all your efforts into presentation and merchandising, making sure that you’ve advertised in the proper places to the proper people but if in the end you see your merchandise, and your profits, walk straight out of your front door as a result of external theft or employee pilfering, well, that dog won’t hunt. It’s time to check out Checkpoint Systems .

They provide many different services in apparel labeling, to include all kinds of tickets, tags and labels that will not only help you protect your merchandise but do so with minimal time and effort.

Well, what if you’re not in the apparel business? Checkpoint systems is still a valuable resource for you. They provide retail theft prevention for supermarkets and hypermarkets, drugstores and pharmacies, warehouses and superstores, electronics stores, hardware stores, and specialty stores. They specialize in EAS tags, Spider wraps, bottle tags, etc. In short, if Checkpoint systems can’t tag it, then you probably don’t need it.

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store

For more information about anti shoplifting or checkpoint labels or checkpoint security system or checkpoint security systems or checkpoint security tags or retail theft prevention or retail anti theft devices contact us: Checkpoint Systems or call 1.770.426.0547

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Checkpoint Systems – Atlanta GA

February 5, 2011 by Leave a Comment

There are retailers that take extraordinary anti shoplifting efforts to keep their merchandise from walking out the door unpaid.  These efforts range from keeping highly desirable merchandise in plain view to keeping it under lock and key to actually not selling it at all.  Checkpoint systems can help storeowners keep and sell hot items rather than losing the profit to thieves.

There are liquor store owners in Atlanta GA that don’t even stock some popular brands of liquor because the theft and loss rate is so high that it isn’t profitable.  This is the extreme anti shoplifting measure, but the only 100% sure way to prevent theft.  Checkpoint Systems has developed ways for storeowners to display their merchandise in such a way that legitimate customers can pick it up and examine it, but eliminate the likelihood that it will be stolen.  Some of the solutions will even discourage the practice of opening a bottle in the store and either having a drink or pouring the contents into a different container and leaving the store, which can happen with some types of retail anti theft devices.

Checkpoint systems produce the latest and best in retail anti theft devices, and continue to improve on ways to stop shoplifting for retailers.

Not putting popular items on display negatively impacts sales.  Displaying items openly exposes them to theft.

Maximize sales and profits with a free consultation in Atlanta GA.  Call 877-426-0547 or click here:  Retail Anti Theft Devices

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Reasonable Anti Shoplifting Measures Taken

February 4, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Reasonable anti shoplifting measures are those that will give a storeowner a return on his investment and stop his profits from walking out the door.

Every storeowner experiences inventory shrink; it is a retail fact of life.  The trick is to balance economic preventive measures with acceptable merchandising methods.

In some high crime areas, customers expect and understand merchandise that is under lock and key or behind glass.  In others, such means to protect merchandise would be over the top and turn shoppers off, as they expect to be able to handle and inspect the goods freely.

One of the less obtrusive retail anti shoplifting devices is the Checkpoint Security System.  The Checkpoint Security System stands quietly at the entrance until it is needed.  When it detects active Checkpoint tags on clothing that it is going out the door, it alerts store personnel with an audible alarm.

The Checkpoint tags come in a variety of shapes and sizes for almost any application or type of merchandise.  Your and your employees’ eyes can’t be on every shopper all the time, but a Checkpoint Security System is always on.

The return on investment of a Checkpoint Security System is remarkably fast.  Not only will it alert staff to unsold merchandise going out the door, but the prevention factor alone is a value in itself.

The greater the risk of being caught, the greater the chance that a shoplifter will avoid a protected store and go to an easier target.

Checkpoint Security Systems can enhance your anti shoplifting efforts.

Do you need anti shoplifting advice?  Call 770-426-0547 or click: Anti Shoplifting You can also visit our On-Line Store

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Security Tags on Clothes – Alpha High Theft Solutions

February 4, 2011 by

One of the easiest ways to combat shoplifting in your apparel departments is by using security tags on clothes. The average shoplifter prefers to go undetected in his/ her criminal activity. After all, that way they can come back and steal from you again. They don’t want to have to worry about pesky alarms going off and alerting the entire store staff and security personnel to their presence – and the presence of that backpack full of skinny jeans they’ve neglected to pay for. They’d much rather frequent an establishment that doesn’t take the time to place security tags on clothes.

If you’ve got teenagers (or used to be one) you know that they are always trying to keep up on the latest fashions. Often they try to maintain that fashionista persona even if they can’t afford it. There was a group of young girls that frequented a store that I worked at that was giving the store staff fits. There were different girls on different days; some were simply decoys while others did all the actual shoplifting. Some days they would come in, browse and take nothing at all – just to keep you on your toes. On the days that they did manage to apprehend one of the girls they later found that while they were processing the one, two or three others were making off with hundreds, if not thousands in merchandise.

The answer: Alpha High Theft Solutions. By simply tracking the trends and anticipating the teenagers theft patterns we were able to place security tags on clothes that we knew they’d be interested in stealing. As a result, regardless of any shell game they tried to play with the associates, the alarms would sound if they attempted to leave the store with the merchandise and it would also sound if they attempted to defeat the tag while still inside the store. We ended up apprehending several of the teenage girls, but more importantly by placing the security tags on clothes we let the community know we were serious about theft prevention.

For more information about clothing alarm , clothing security Alpha High Theft Solutions or clothing security tags contact us at Security Tags on Clothes or call 1.770.426.0547

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Why Should You Use A Loss Prevention Consultant? _ Atlanta Georgia

February 4, 2011 by

Even if you’ve been in business for years and you’re confident that you know what a shoplifter looks like and all the tricks of the trade you may still need the services of a loss prevention consultant . See, thieves are like that fish from Darwin’s evolution theory. They constantly change and adapt to fit their environment and the challenges that they may face. Therefore, information that may have been true about shoplifters 5 years ago may be obsolete today. It’s the job of the loss prevention consultant to stay abreast of all these changes and implement a plan to combat them.

The worst thing you can do when dealing with shoplifters is make a non-productive detainment, or a “bad stop”. This happens often to retailers and it can cost you thousands in lawsuits. The best way to ensure that this doesn’t happen to you is to follow these 6 steps before making any apprehension. 1. Observe the shoplifter approach the merchandise 2. Observe the shoplifter select the merchandise 3. Observe the shoplifter conceal or carry away the merchandise 4. Maintain continuous surveillance of the shoplifter until he/ she leaves the store 5. Observe the shoplifter, making sure they do NOT pay for the merchandise 6. Apprehend the shoplifter only after they have left the store.

Never take anyone’s word for it. Never substitute someone else’s testimony as evidence that one of the 6 steps mentioned above actually happened. If you didn’t see it, it didn’t happen. Now, depending on what state you do business in the law may not require you to follow all of these steps. However, the goal is to ensure that you don’t expose yourself and your business to unnecessary liability. A loss prevention consultant can fill you in on all of the details and keep you and your company out of court.

For more information contact us at Loss Prevention Consultant or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

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Prevent Shoplifting of Common Items

February 4, 2011 by Leave a Comment

When most consumers think of ways to prevent shoplifting, they think of merchandise that is highly desirable and expensive.  This is not always the case, even with those classified as “professional’ shoplifters, those who steal not for their own use but to resell and convert their gains to cold hard cash.

I recently read an article [read it here…] about a couple in Portland, Washington, who are accused of shoplifting more that $5 Million dollars in merchandise over the past four or five years.

A couple of things grabbed my attention.  First of all, how could a major grocery chain with its own CCTV system and loss prevention department allow these thieves to get away with stealing form them all this time.  They were either phenomenally lucky or good at what they do. Or they were very selective about the merchandise they stole.

The second thing was the items that the couple were taking were all fairly common items: razors, shampoo, Rogaine, teeth whitener, conditioner, batteries, CD’s, and DVD’s.  No fur coats or flat screen TV’s.

These items have several things in common.  They are small and easy to conceal and they are items that are used every day. Most of them have a limited useful life before they must be replaced. 

The article stated that the police were looking for a third suspect who gave the couple a “shopping list”. 

To prevent shoplifting of these types of items, retailers have turned to Checkpoint Security Systems, along with Alpha Security products to keep merchandise safe from shoplifters from those who steal on impulse to professionals like those described in the article.

Call 770-426-0547 for more information to help prevent shoplifting or click here.  Visit our Online Retail Loss Prevention Store for more ideas!

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