BAFB Loss Prevention Team catch shoplifters on base

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alexandra M. Boutte
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  "I have the money" or "I was just getting my wallet from my car" are just a few of the common excuses Fred Acosta, Barksdale Army Air Force Exchange Service loss prevention manager, receives when he catches a shoplifter red-handed.

"Shoplifting is considered taking merchandise out of the store without purchasing it," Mr. Acosta said. "Switching price tags on items also is considered shoplifting and will result in the same consequences as not buying the product."

During 2005, a total of 137 thieves were charged with shoplifting, six more than in 2006. In 2007, 109 shoplifters were apprehended. In 2008 the number was 86 and, due an active prevention program, only 67 were detained in 2009. Since February 2010, 61 people were caught shoplifting at the Base Exchange and the Shoppette.

According to the AAFES security records, during the summer months, the shoplifters' numbers rise.

There are a total of 53 surveillance cameras located throughout the BX, and 16 cameras are in the Shoppette. The cameras are all computerized, record 24-hours a day and have the ability to rotate 360-degrees, covering every area of the store. They can be zoomed in to read fine print on identification cards or even the cash registers.

"The coverage and clarity of these cameras is astonishing. There is no place for criminal behavior to hide. Technology makes it very easy to decide to revoke privileges to the Exchange and the Commissary," said Col. Scott Hoover, 2nd Mission Support Group commander, during a recent tour of the facility.

"When the 2nd Security Forces Squadron Law Enforcement Desk calls with a request, I ask one question, 'was it an obvious crime or a potential mistake?' Ninety-nine percent of the time the response is 'clearly a crime.' Just that quickly, the privileges of shopping venues are removed for 1 year."

Once a customer crosses the blue line at the BX exit, a member of the Loss Prevention team will stop the individual and ask him or her to step inside their office, where Loss Prevention personnel will call the Law Enforcement Desk. Protecting AAFES customers and merchandise is the goal of the Loss Prevention team.

Once security forces arrive, they view the shoplifting video, ask the suspect questions involving the accusations of shoplifting and then search the suspect. Once the police has a clear case of shoplifting, the customer is apprehended and taken to the Law Enforcement Desk for further processing.

Anyone who is caught shoplifting is banned from shopping at AAFES for one year. First sergeants and commanders are notified if the accused is a servicemember. Sponsors are called for minors. Additionally, civilians are issued a summons to appear in Federal Magistrate Court in Shreveport.

Civilian and dependent shopping privileges are also taken away for a year.

"The hardest part of dealing with a shoplifter is watching the sponsor's embarrassed face when told their dependent stole merchandise from the BX or Shoppette," said Staff Sgt. Joe Wilbert, 2 SFS control center operator.

According to Mr. Acosta, an incident occurred where a customer changed the price on a shirt at the BX and paid for the price it was changed for. As soon as the customer crossed over the blue line at the store's threshold, he was confronted by loss prevention. The individual ran and was later found by the dormitory stairs. He faced additional charges for trying to escape, as well as shoplifting.

Security forces also have foot patrols walk around the BX enforcing the safety and security of the customers and AAFES merchandise.

"It is important to enforce shoplifting penalties because we can't let a few customers steal from the store and other customers," Sergeant Wilbert said.

"Shoplifting costs AAFES a lot of money, and it directly affects the customers if the prices are raised or if AAFES stops carrying high-theft items."

The Loss Prevention team prevents as many shoplifting incidents as possible by talking to the community through the base youth center, first sergeant meetings, commander calls, right start and local schools.

"It is better to prevent shoplifting than letting it happen," Mr. Acosta said. "That is why we talk to the community, especially children. The main excuse from youths is the peer pressure of other kids. We don't want them to grow up stealing."