Shoplifters - Page 3

The thing is, 14 year olds go to Bureau HALT or something like that in the Netherlands. They're not prosecuted, they simply get the advice to not do it again and have to mow a few park lawns and then they're off the hook.

Even adults who are caught shoplifting/stealing hardly ever see a judge. A while ago, there was this 17 year old kid who hit a burglar on the head with a baseball bat. The burglar walks and the kid who was defending his home is now being prosecuted. It's the world upside down.

When I was 14 I remember having this little phase where I wanted to steal like some kind of klepto. I actually ended up shoplifting a PC game. Yes it was stupid but kids at an early age steal for the hell of it. Security wise, I like the idea of having a security guard, our shoplifted loss profits went down when we had a guard at the door. Plus it intimidates the criminal both when coming in, and trying to leave.

This is not exclusive to the Netherlands.
During highschool and university I worked at various clothing stores.
Pay was shitty even at the very high end ones I worked at.
Shoplifting was less of a problem for us because the brands we sold did not appeal to the shoplifters. Apparently they have no desire for Edward Green or Lattanzi shoes, nor do they want to wear clothing with no visible logos on it.

What bothered me more than shoplifters were people that stole stuff within student organisations.
I mean guys that are members of fraternities or other student bodies should have the knowledge and the decency to not go through jackets in the wardrobe section (that is closed off to non members) and steal phones or cashmere scarves. It is just a concept that is so alien to me, the idea that you walk around and think of opportunities or strategies to take other peoples belongings.

In relation to this post: I've forgotten my wallet about thirty times on locations around the University building in Groningen (most times in the mess hall). At least twice there was the rent money and then some in there( around € 450.-). It was brought to the concierge every single time. On the other hand I have friends who've lost their coats (due to thievery) 2-3 times in such congenial places as sudent fraternities.

I more or less share your experiences.
I had my wallet and bank card returned to me twice after losing it on a train station.
But I lost 2 to 3 coats due to thievery.
And bikes. Dont get me started on bike thieves. phuuuuuking hate them.

Whaaaaaaaat the somali pirates actually clone those sturdy sailors?

I won't get into this debate with you because I know it's pointless but you are thinking about this the wrong way. It is meaningless whether an original work is still in an artist's possession after you've made an illegal copy. The point is about revenue and how intellectual property generates $ compared to physical property so the comparisons you make are not meaningful.

IP generates $ through its dissemination - unlike tangible goods - so when you pirate a song, you deprive the owner of his rightful property i.e. royalties and are thus 'stealing'. Now, if you don't believe that people have any rights to IP and shouldn't profit from it because it's made up of 1s and 0s and is not a tangible widget made in a factory, then that's your prerogative, but piracy is indeed a form of theft.

+1

I pirate music and software like I'm Jack Sparrow but it doesn't mean that it's "right".

Like wise, I went through a major shoplifting stage as a kid. Well, I was prob 16-19. I could get away with anything from stores or malls -- you name it I could get it. Some notables were: Doc Martin Boots All kinds of clothes (Tommy Jeans, woot!) A freakin car alarm Resident Evil 2 for playstation / Phish Box Set (Lol) Liquor Basically anything was fair game. I finally stopped after I was at the mall and wanted to steal a t-shirt of "The Rock" (Yes, wwf) for my friends b-day. Walked outta the store and the alarm went off. I about crapped my pants. I froze. Guy came to me and asked me to walk through again, I did and nothing beeped. I walked off scared shitless, white as a ghost. I check in my car and the little tag had one of those sensors embedded in it. Never even saw it. Technology caught up to me and that was pretty much the end of that thrill. I had some friends who worked at Staples and would put all kinds of shit in a Office Chair boxes, buy the $40 chair and walk out with hundreds in goods. Another kid threw away clothes at A&F and went back at night and dumpster dove and resold them at college (he actually got busted and arrested for that). A few years later I worked as the security guy at circuit city. Never caught one person in a month there. Even with cameras. In fact, they tell you to NEVER go after the suspect and they know this. You could literally walk out with a TV and I couldnt do shit except call the cops and hope they get there in time to catch you. The sophistacted crime syndicates know this and know they can get big ticket items with a slap on the wrist if caught. My recommendation: Use the cheap sensor tags and hide them. Cameras. Better customer service. If someone is constantly asking you if you need help and watching you, you cant do shit. Yes, racial profile.