Holiday crime alert
N. Charleston police meet with merchants to suggest how to avoid adding to robbery, shoplifting statistics
Officers in North Charleston got a jump on the holiday season by fanning out to businesses with a wish list.
The Post and Courier
Eddie Herren, assistant manager of the Li'L Cricket Food Store on Dorchester Road, listens Wednesday as North Charleston Police Officer Charity Prosser gives advice on keeping windows clear of obstructions.
No, the city's finest weren't asking for gifts to put under the Christmas tree. This was a modest list full of selfless demands aimed at keeping merchants safe. Police were asking stores to make sure surveillance cameras work; to use adequate lighting inside and outside; and to clear windows of advertisements and other clutter, to better see people approaching at night.
"Every year, we prepare for this," said Pfc. Charity Prosser, who visited businesses in the city's western patrol district Wednesday to raise awareness about shoplifting and robberies. "During the holiday season, we know it's going to increase."
Citywide, police took 182 shoplifting complaints in November and December 2006. That number jumped to 208 during the same two-month period last year. The city had recorded 66 this month as of Wednesday.
Shoplifters often show up at name-brand clothing stores in groups of three or more. Some of them distract cashiers and employees on the floor, while others grab items off the rack.
They range from the young to the old. Last year, Prosser said she arrested a woman in her 80s stealing undergarments. Surprisingly, she said, stores selling baby clothes are a common target.
At Tanger's Old Navy store, customer service manager Tamar Murray said they expect shoplifting to get worse, with so many people out of work.
"Especially with the economy being the way it is now, it is on the rise," Murray said. "We're aware of who is in our store at all times."
South Carolina's unemployment rate was 7.3 percent in September, according to the latest figures from the S.C. Employment Security Commission. September's rate was down from the state's 15-year high of 7.6 in August but significantly above the 5.9 percent in September 2007.
Figures for October were scheduled to be released Friday.
When she makes shoplifting arrests, Prosser often hears hard-luck stories from people being fresh out of work. That may be believable in some cases involving the theft of staples such as bread or milk, she said. But it's hard to swallow when somebody has grabbed several pieces of name-brand clothing off the rack.
After Tanger, Prosser drove to Dorchester Road, where convenience stores and discount stores have been recent targets of armed robbers.
Last November and December, the city saw business armed robberies double from the year before. They went from 12 during that two-month span in 2006 to 25 over the same period last year. The city has had 11 so far this month as of Wednesday.
At a Li'l Cricket Food Store at Dorchester and Foxwood Drive, assistant manager-in-training Eddie Herren took in Prosser's advice, nodding his head quietly. He hadn't been held up, though the store has. Still, he wasn't worried.
BUSINESS CRIME GLANCE
Robbery totals, November and December
2006: 12
2007: 25
2008 (so far in November): 11
Shoplifting totals, November and December
2006: 182
2007: 208
2008 (so far in November): 66
Tips to help minimize risk:
-- Make sure the inside and outside of the business is adequately lighted.
-- Doors and windows should be solid with adequate locks and all hinges inside the building.
-- Keep windows and doors free of advertisements and other clutter that block the view outside.
-- Keep the outside free of clutter.
-- Don't park vehicles against doors, as this provides great cover for burglars.
-- Make sure the business has working security cameras.
-- Burglar alarms can be an effective deterrent, but make sure you choose the right system.
-- Keep only the minimum amount of cash necessary in the store; frequent bank deposits could minimize the risk of large losses. After business, leave minimal amounts of cash on hand and leave registers open so they aren't damaged in the event of a break-in.
-- Ask local police to point out ways to improve security.
Reach Noah Haglund at 937-5550 or nhaglund@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
moonpie (anonymous) says...
Unfortunately you have to sterotype!?
November 20, 2008 at 6:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
islandbenzbc (anonymous) says...
Their time would have been better spent rounding up the dope dealers and illegals in North Charleston...
November 20, 2008 at 7:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sassa (anonymous) says...
they spent a little time in the Brentwood plaza yesterday passing a flyer to businesses. In that plaza there has been 4 burglaries in the past 6 days, the chinese restaurant on Thursday night, and again Friday night, then the Cricket store on Saturday and the Dry Cleaners yesterday, as well as a young man running fast as he can and dropping a pair of handcuffs on the sidewalk yesterday afternoon. TOO LITTLE TOO LATE. Thankfully the landlord of this shopping center has stepped up to help, they have off duty officers hired during business hours and have erected a huge fence surrounding the back of the center, which has stopped the 'running from illegal activity' to the dreamy Bennett Yard area where they magically disappear.
November 20, 2008 at 7:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
The real answer is to make sure that, when caught, criminals do real time in prison. I'd like to see the P&C do a study of all of these crimes and see how many of them were committed by people that already had a criminal record. I'd bet the answer would be as high as 90%. When you get caught and are allowed to plea to a lesser crime and end up doing no time in prison, what incentive do you have not to try again? What do criminals learn in our justice besides "crime does pay"? There is no way I could be a policeman and watch the criminals I arrest get turned back out in to the streets over and over again. It's got to be frustrating as hell. Who's faulty is it? It's our (society as a whole) fault. Yesterday I was chastised for saying that a man who pointed a gun at another man's head during a robbery should be put to death. He pointed a gun at someone's head to take what was not his! And yet, we have a large portion of our society that does not believe in holding these people accountable. As a result, they do little or no prison time and, if they do go to prison, the time they get treated too nicely.
It'll get worse before it gets better.
November 20, 2008 at 8:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
Last November and December, the city saw business armed robberies double from the year before. They went from 12 during that two-month span in 2006 to 25 over the same period last year.
=============================================================
Let's see, somebody has to be blamed for this increase in crime in the last two years.
Let's blame Bush, after all, he's still president!
But then, who's been running congress for the last two years?
No,no,that couldn't possibly be a factor! Could it?
November 20, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
The holiday season always brings an increase in crime.
I truly fear for the shoppers this year with the economy being down.
People, please avoid shopping at night if possible, and try to shop with others and not alone.
Everyone, be very careful out there this year, and carry it if you have it.
November 20, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weeeee (anonymous) says...
Ehhhh....what does the federal gov't have to do with your local Lil Cricket getting robbed? This entire article has nothing to do with politics.
That being said, I agree with CB. Thieves who hold up convenience stores need to be given swift and harsh punishment just like any other criminal. They deserve more than the 30 days slap on the wrist they normally get. And that's all IF they get caught! I'd be shocked if NCPD even showed up after a robbery. The Lil Cricket closest to where I live was robbed just last week. It's so common practice that I'm willing to bet the attendant is just like..."Right. Here we go again. Take some money. Leave. Come again!"
Officer Charity can arrest me anytime.
November 20, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
havesense (anonymous) says...
Good points from all angles actually. My insignificant opinions are that you can't put people in prison for shoplifting! I would think that the majority of the time it's a younger crowd w/ your occassional deadbeat!
I'm all for equal respective punishment for equal crime - if someone steals clothes the police should be able to go to their house & confiscate ALL their clothes. Unfortunately, that's not the way our judicial system works so we'll just keep fitting the higher prices due to theft but I guess that's better than thinking we have to steal something!!
"As you sew, so shall you reap" (Galatians 6:7) - the courts, police, and society can't make respective punishment happen but the REAL JUDGE can & will deliver!!
November 20, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
havesense, I agree that prison is inappropriate for the first time shop lifting offender (unless they are shop lifting something worth a LOT of money).
Weeeee... feeling charitable???
November 20, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
I_Love_d_Peninsula (anonymous) says...
Posted by moonpie on November 20, 2008 at 6:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Unfortunately you have to sterotype!?
Please explain?
November 20, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weeeee (anonymous) says...
hahhaa. I loved that. I think I'll go rob Lil Cricket just so she can arrest me. Sweet. Use force! I'll resist!
Anyway...maybe I was a bit extreme in my last post. It's probably because I detest crime. In fact, I've went to a gas station before and pumped gas only to find out I had left my wallet at the house. I went in and told the clerk. Fortunately, the gas station was right near my house so I went home and came back with the money. No problems. I guess I could've stolen the gas, but I'm no criminal.
November 20, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
Another note to Retailers: there is no such thing as 500 dollar travelers checks..Its a scam that happens alot during the holidays.
November 20, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iceman1978 (anonymous) says...
Posted by moonpie on November 20, 2008 at 6:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Unfortunately you have to sterotype!?
----
I worked retail for years and there is much truth in this.
November 20, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
I_Love_d_Peninsula (anonymous) says...
I know this is hard for some of you to digest but
people of all colors, ethinicities, religions, ideologies, and political persausions commit crimes.
sigh,
"Oh the good ole south*&^%$#%$%$%%%%"
November 20, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
When I worked retail we were told that the average shoplifter was a middle aged white woman. How's that for stereotyping? This was being taught by loss prevention for T.J. Maxx, or technically Marmax Inc. I don't know how accurate that info is, or whether it was based on their personal findings.
November 20, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
Honestly if I had to stereotype shoplifters....I'd say white teenage girls. Sorry if it seems racist, but Ive seen it a million times. My daughter and I heard teenage girls in a dressing room acting shady. I immediately told the employee,who then called security and sure enough the dressing room they left was full of empty hangers. I used it as lesson for my daughter(who was quite young)and told her they were going to jail. Boy I wish that were true. Half of the time mall security gives them a lecture and maybe calls their parents. Big deal. I'm not saying they should get hard time. I personally love shame punishment. Like wearing a sign around your neck that says," Beware I'm a thief" or something humiliating. Along side community service that involves shoveling horse sh it.
November 20, 2008 at 11:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
Stereotyping? Call it what you want. If I where working in a convenience store at midnight and three black males wearing hooded
sweat jackets come in with their hands in their pockets my sense of self preservation is going kick in and my pistol is going to be instantly accessible.
Three similarly attired white males would initiate the same reaction from me.
Profiling? You bet. Eighty year old woman might steal a can of soup but she's not going to jump over the counter and attack me.
November 20, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
I_Love_d_Peninsula (anonymous) says...
johnnyholmes: I know not of this man.
coolfreaknbeans: Good show and tell.
I think shame punishment works well on young kids and some teenagers, but the harden criminal, not so much.
I am sure your daughter wouldn't try to do anything like that anyway.
November 20, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
I_Love_d_Peninsula (anonymous) says...
RTC:
Based on statistics that is the "typical" shoplifter.
While you cone heads are following me around the store, the middle aged white woman is cleaning the place out! LOL.
Hey maybe I can't cut a deal with her.
November 20, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
I_Love_d_peninsula- Yeah I'm blessed with a kid who is almost paranoid. She thinks if you jay walk you'll get locked up, she has to read the medicine label herself(although Ive been in the medical field for 10yrs) before taking tylenol I hand her and said,"But I had pepto yesterday, that won't hurt me will it?" LOL If one of my kids stole something, the least of their worries would be the cops!
November 20, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
carlosthedwarf (anonymous) says...
My advice is to have a patrol car at all times in the North Charleston shopping centers. North Charleston is to crime as Michael Jackson is to weirdness.
November 20, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
I_Love_d_Peninsula (anonymous) says...
coolfreaknbeans: Good for her!
I saw a lifetime movie the other night where the husband was trying to suppress his wife's memory by giving her the wrong medicine.
She will be well prepared for anything that comes her way! Keep up the good work!
November 20, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
If I were the king of the forest, I would make shoplifters sit in folding chairs on platforms in store parking lots where their crimes occurred with signs saying, "I AM A SHOPLIFTER, I GOT ARRESTED AND AFTER I LEAVE HERE I AM GOING TO JAIL FOR 60 DAYS". The days would be longer for subsequent arrests.
November 20, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MsPiggy (anonymous) says...
Kid,
That's the kind of punishment I'm talking about!! The same thing should be done to people who have commited sexual crimes upon children: Make them wear a sign on their person, front and back, that says, "I JUST GOT ARRESTED FOR MOLESTING A CHILD" and put them on the busiest highway in Charleston. Say, where 526 merges with 26 at 5 pm where traffic virtually has come to a standstill.
whooo weeee! That may be too dangerous. He or she would probably get their arse short at.
Weeee: I had to scroll back up and check out the picture after reading your comment. haha!
November 20, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
Thanks I_Love_d_Peninsula! Love that plan kid!!!
November 20, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iceman1978 (anonymous) says...
It's not just shoplifters that stores have to deal with. In some places just walking to and from your car is dangerous. If I do go shopping it's only on King St during the day. Otherwise I buy on-line.
November 20, 2008 at 6 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
buff_o_rilla (anonymous) says...
I think we need to start micro chipping criminals and we can have monitors in businesses and carry them on our persons. Shoplifter comes in a store, warnings go off and they are followed closely. Murderer comes in the neighborhood, Satellites pick them up, Warnings sent to every house in the neighborhoods monitoring devices, etc. I know im getting carried away here and the ACLU would never allow it. But a person can dream!!!
November 20, 2008 at 6:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
Thank you for your comment MsPiggy. Yes, public ridicule would be a good detriment in the world of crime. Put people in an old wooden pillory on a safe platform in embarrassing locations where they can be seen by all from sunup to sundown with bathroom breaks and snacks. I can see it now.. I AM A LITTERBUG, I ROBBED DEFENSELESS STUDENTS, I CRASHED INTO SOMEONE WHILE DRUNK. Cover the pillory occupants from the elements with umbrellas so they don't get too sunburned. What is wrong with that? Oh, if I were the king of the forest.
November 20, 2008 at 7:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
I_Love_d_Peninsula (anonymous) says...
Iceman1978:
Is there some sort of deal that the shops on King St. and the criminals have struck?
Iceman1978 you sound kinda wimpy.
November 20, 2008 at 7:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
exorcist_pencocky4u (anonymous) says...
I would be extra careful at the Citadel Mall, bad things happening I hear.
November 20, 2008 at 9:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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