Charlotte, NC Shoplifting Statistics June 2008
The stats are in, and crime is on the rise in Charlotte, NC. Specifically, shoplifting is up 21.4% over last year at this time. Interestingly enough, commercial burglaries are down 23.3% while residential burglaries are up 15.5%. You can download and view the latest report here
Is it the economy? Is it the rising price of Gas? Probably. Still, in most cases, it’s not like people are stealing food to survive, or gas so they can travel to their jobs. No, they’re stealing non-essentials for the most part, at least that has been my recent experience.
I’m afraid that, if we blame the economy, we’re just giving the thieves the excuse they need to steal more. If we “feel sorry” for the thief who steals $150 shoes because times are tough, then we empower them to steal more because they feel entitled to our merchandise.
I only post these stats to state a point: Some people will steal no matter what, while others will steal if they are persuaded. Then there are those who steal because they get in a bind and, instead of taking the necessary steps to reduce their non-essential spending like the rest of us have had to do, they resort to theft to maintain their lifestyle.
In addition, there are Organized Shoplifting Rings out there who are taking advantage of the economic paranoia. They are stealing merchandise, essentially getting all their wares for free. Then, they sell it for aobut half the retail price at flea markets, on eBay, etc., thereby making a pretty good profit since they essentially have no overhead costs.
Theft is wrong, and unless you have starving children, and are physically unable to work and can’t get any public or charitable assistance, and you go out and steal a meal for you and your kids, you just can’t justify it. And we all know that there are far too many assistance programs available today for that to happen.
The simple fact is that theft stems from greed, not need. No matter what you try to blame for the increase in shoplifting, the fact remains that those who steal are to blame, and are responsible for their own actions.
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Originally published at The Bunker Blog. Please leave any comments there.