Uptown Askew91裸聊视频檚 Foods manager Heather Turner would rather see money go to community needs, and not measures to deter shoplifting.

However, increasing difficulties with theft, and theft attempts, have pushed the Shuswap grocer to invest in efforts to address product loss while protecting staff and customers.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檝e always had shoplifters, but not this extent. It91裸聊视频檚 really been bad,91裸聊视频� said Turner, suggesting incidents of shoplifting began to rise in December, and have been particularly prominent over the past few months.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 discouraging. I know all the staff and all the stores work hard, we want to provide our customers nice products and we want to support the community as much as we can, but when we91裸聊视频檙e having this theft it makes it harder and harder to do that. It chips away at all the things you want to do.91裸聊视频�

In addition to asking customers to use the store91裸聊视频檚 provided grocery baskets and carts, and not shop into reusable grocery bags, Askew91裸聊视频檚 will also be installing a gate system at the entryway.

91裸聊视频淪o when you come in the in-doors, you can91裸聊视频檛 go out the in-doors,91裸聊视频� said Turner, noting how in one recent incident a pair of people worked together, with one going inside to gather goods while the other waited by the in-door, ready to activate it. Intervening staff prevented a shopping buggy with $600 worth of groceries from going out the door.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e just doing whatever we can to deter these people,91裸聊视频� said Turner. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檒l probably be putting in a locked bathroom door so you91裸聊视频檒l have to get a key91裸聊视频� Which is obviously a major inconvenience for 99 per cent of our customers, but we91裸聊视频檙e being forced into this situation where we have to do something.91裸聊视频�

Askew91裸聊视频檚 Foods general manager Dave Wallace said the same thing is being experienced at all Askew91裸聊视频檚 locations, where deterrence measures are also being taken.

91裸聊视频淲e feel it is organized, as right now it is no longer just someone stealing a steak or a block of cheese,91裸聊视频� said Wallace. 91裸聊视频淭hey are going out the door with buggies and baskets91裸聊视频� there are getaway vehicles waiting right outside our doors.91裸聊视频�

Speaking off record, staff at two other large Salmon Arm retailers shared similar experiences and noted the increase in shoplifting is being experienced by businesses throughout town. This was supported by Salmon Arm RCMP Staff Sgt. Scott West, who said Salmon Arm has seen an increase in shoplifting over 2023.

91裸聊视频淥n average, there have been 7 more shoplifting complaints from local stores per month in 2024,91裸聊视频� said West in an email. 91裸聊视频淭he thefts have included retail stores in a broader geographic area of our city.91裸聊视频�

Asked if there91裸聊视频檚 an element of organization behind the increase, West commented, 91裸聊视频淚t appears that there (is) more than one person involved in some of these shoplifting crimes.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淚n the past, we have seen instances of repeat shoplifters in our area that are operating over large geographic areas,91裸聊视频� said West. 91裸聊视频淭hese types of thefts are transient in nature as the criminals travel and target non-perishable retail items.91裸聊视频�

Wallace is appreciative of the help received from the RCMP, but said he realizes their hands are tied and that it can be frustrating when charges aren91裸聊视频檛 approved after a suspect has been identified and there is video footage of them leaving the store with groceries.

Both Turner and Wallace shared their appreciation of the community91裸聊视频檚 support and understanding, stressing the deterrence measures are in response to a significant challenge.

91裸聊视频淲e thank everybody for their understanding 91裸聊视频� It91裸聊视频檚 not necessarily a friendly greeting to our locations but we just can91裸聊视频檛 go on with the rampant theft that91裸聊视频檚 happening,91裸聊视频� said Wallace.

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