Retailers across Canada are expressing concern over an increase in violence and retail theft that is threatening the safety of their employees and customers. Tony Hunt, the general manager for loss prevention at London Drugs, stated at a news conference at Vancouver police headquarters that most retailers have experienced a 20% rise in retail theft in recent years. He expressed gratitude for the crackdown on the problem by city police. Hunt highlighted the abuse of front-line employees as a major concern, stating that aggressive and violent behaviors are becoming more frequent and intense. He stressed that this nationwide issue is not limited to Vancouver and that employees and customers across the country are living in fear.
In a separate report, Vancouver police announced that they had made 258 arrests during their latest crackdown on shoplifting, recovering nearly $57,000 worth of stolen goods and seizing 26 weapons. Staff Sgt. Mario Mastropieri explained that these arrests were made during a 16-day operation in September, which involved coordination with other Lower Mainland police departments. He also noted that violent shoplifting had decreased by 22% citywide during the duration of the project. Despite these positive results, Mastropieri acknowledged that there is still work to be done and that they will continue to target chronic shoplifters and violent thieves to ensure everyone feels safe.
Mastropieri emphasized that Vancouver is not the only city dealing with widespread theft, as other North American cities have witnessed the closure of major retailers due to violent shoplifting. The police are determined to prevent a similar situation from occurring in Vancouver. He mentioned that while poverty, mental health, and addiction may be factors contributing to shoplifting, there is also an organized crime aspect. Stolen items often end up on certain marketplaces or are even shipped across the country, but the exact destination remains uncertain.
Hunt highlighted the significant financial burden placed on retailers as they spend millions on security measures. However, not all businesses can afford these measures. He stressed the importance of collaborative efforts between the police, courts, and social support systems to ensure community safety and protect employees from violence and abuse. Hunt expressed appreciation for the work of Vancouver Police and other police partners in addressing prolific retail theft and the associated abuse and violence.
The recent arrests add to the success of a previous police blitz where 355 individuals were apprehended for shoplifting. Furthermore, U.S. retail giant Target recently announced the closure of nine stores in four states due to theft and organized retail crime compromising the safety of their customers and staff. The affected stores are located in the San Francisco Bay area, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and New York City.