Shoplifting not huge issue on campus
Stealing is a problem for everyone in the retail world, even in a place like Logan.
“Theft in this area is fairly low,” Janette Monson, the textbook manager at the USU Bookstore said, “but you have to keep the honest honest and stop the dishonest.”
During their rush times, Monson said theft happens every day, but less often during quiet times.
“Our store is below the national average for [shoplifting] at college bookstores,” she said.
The bookstore takes precautionary measures, such as a security system, a greeter at the front door and someone who checks receipts at the other door. With these two practices and watching things close, Monson said theft went down in the bookstore.
Though the store loses money on those precautions, she said it is worth the cost.
“We always have to be on the alert because there is going to be someone looking for the way around,” Monson said.
She said in the bookstore, the most common thing stolen is what students need: textbooks.
“When a student needs a textbook they can’t afford and they feel like their grade depends on it, it might push the ethics a little more,” Monson said.
Matthew Hollen, a senior majoring in communicative and hearing disorders works at the bookstore on campus and at Dillard’s in the mall.
He said theft is a smaller problem on campus than at the mall.
“From what I’ve seen, students are very honorable,” Hollen said. “I haven’t seen it as an issue on campus and I’ve worked here for two years.”
Hollen said a university campus is a different atmosphere than at the mall, where the crowds are more mixed.
“At Dillard’s, we see a different group of people,” Hollen said.
Kristin Page, store manager at Famous Footwear, said she has had problems in the past with shoplifters, but after using a loss-prevention program, they’ve seen a decrease in theft.
Famous Footwear has between four and 10 pairs of shoes stolen every month, which Page said is a small amount compared to other Famous Footwear stores throughout the nation.
She said she has been cracking down on her employees, noting that one way to help stop shoplifting is to provide excellent customer service.
“Don’t prejudge people,” Page said. “Anyone can steal. It’s the ones that look like they wouldn’t, not the thug.”
Women with strollers and big bags are often the ones who steal, Page said. “I found a lady with shoes under her baby once.”
Page said that is common too, so she has to prevent it. Famous Footwear is in the mall, so it is easier for people to walk in with bags from other stores. When people walk in with bags from stores that aren’t in the mall, Page said that is a red flag.
The three biggest ways Page said people try to shoplift are putting new shoes on and old shoes in the box or putting them in a big bag or stroller.
“I’ve seen someone with their old shoes in a box and new ones on,” Page said. “So I went up and asked if I could ring her up.”
To avoid theft, Hollen said the bookstore has lots of people on the floor to approach every customer.
“If you have an employee sitting on your back, you’re less inclined to steal something,” Hollen said. “But if someone wants something bad enough to steal it, there’s nothing I can say to change their minds.”
Monson said the bookstore has received anonymous checks from people who stole textbooks while they were going to school and said they wanted to pay them back now that they have a full-time job.
-hollyadams@cc.usu.edu
Photo illustration by Tyler Larson/tmlarson@cc.usu.edu