- 02 Dec 2022 21:08
#15257611
We witnessed shoplifting at Nike, Home Depot and Target, and nobody stopped it
“It is frustrating for people working in that store to see people stealing every day,” explained Jeremy Girard of the Oregon Retail Crime Association.
Kyle Iboshi KGW8, Portland, Oregon, www.kgw.com
Published: 4:47 PM PDT October 27, 2022
PORTLAND, Ore. — It’s 3:55 on a Thursday afternoon in the Mall 205 parking lot. I’m watching through the front windshield of our white Ford Explorer as unsuspecting shoppers zip in and out of the Target store and nearby Home Depot.
The shopping mall, located near Interstate 205 in Southeast Portland, attracts a mix of construction workers, everyday shoppers and homeless people from nearby encampments.
I’m on the lookout. I want to find out how easy it is for shoplifters to steal in Portland and then see what happens to all that stolen merchandise.
Police, prosecutors, retailers, private security and neighbors complain shoplifting or organized retail crime is a citywide epidemic — largely fueled by drug addiction. Criminals are literally stealing merchandise off store shelves and walking out the front door with little or no fear of being arrested or prosecuted.
“It is at a crisis level,” explained Jeremy Girard of the Oregon Retail Crime Association. Girard estimates some of the hardest hit stores in the Portland-area are losing between $1 million to $5 million annually to theft. Retailers across the city have been forced to hire private security guards, lock down valuable items, change store layout, reduce hours or simply close their doors.
The Nike Community Store in Northeast Portland was closed intermittently throughout September and October reportedly because of widespread theft. Nike wouldn’t share details.
“Stores are not going to be able to sustain for the long haul if organized retail crime continues to get worse,” warned Girard.
Story Continues: https://www.kgw.com/article/news/invest ... f3c2e39323
“It is frustrating for people working in that store to see people stealing every day,” explained Jeremy Girard of the Oregon Retail Crime Association.
Kyle Iboshi KGW8, Portland, Oregon, www.kgw.com
Published: 4:47 PM PDT October 27, 2022
PORTLAND, Ore. — It’s 3:55 on a Thursday afternoon in the Mall 205 parking lot. I’m watching through the front windshield of our white Ford Explorer as unsuspecting shoppers zip in and out of the Target store and nearby Home Depot.
The shopping mall, located near Interstate 205 in Southeast Portland, attracts a mix of construction workers, everyday shoppers and homeless people from nearby encampments.
I’m on the lookout. I want to find out how easy it is for shoplifters to steal in Portland and then see what happens to all that stolen merchandise.
Police, prosecutors, retailers, private security and neighbors complain shoplifting or organized retail crime is a citywide epidemic — largely fueled by drug addiction. Criminals are literally stealing merchandise off store shelves and walking out the front door with little or no fear of being arrested or prosecuted.
“It is at a crisis level,” explained Jeremy Girard of the Oregon Retail Crime Association. Girard estimates some of the hardest hit stores in the Portland-area are losing between $1 million to $5 million annually to theft. Retailers across the city have been forced to hire private security guards, lock down valuable items, change store layout, reduce hours or simply close their doors.
The Nike Community Store in Northeast Portland was closed intermittently throughout September and October reportedly because of widespread theft. Nike wouldn’t share details.
“Stores are not going to be able to sustain for the long haul if organized retail crime continues to get worse,” warned Girard.
Story Continues: https://www.kgw.com/article/news/invest ... f3c2e39323
The Biden Economy: Work 12 Months, Get Paid For 11 !!