Stores are taking action to put a stop to shoplifters

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Shoplifting is something stores look out for all year round but as Christmas draws closer, the number of offenders goes up.

The holiday season is upon us, and everyone is looking for that perfect gift. The problem is not everybody wants to pay for it.

That has law enforcement and retailers on high alert to catch those holiday Grinches.

“It’s a problem you know they take our revenue from us,” said Lou Wyatt.

For local businesses, the holiday cheer can be tarnished by people stealing.

“Shoplifting is a major concern for us because it’s millions of dollars every year that’s lost you know by this type of criminal act it goes anywhere from your misdemeanors to stealing Mead to clothing out of stores to high priced jewelry,” said Sheriff Eddie Scott.

And Law enforcement is gearing up for a busy season.

“The holidays season always is an uptick in crime all across the scale, so we start dealing not only with shoplifting but you’re dealing with burglary because everybody knows everyone’s buying getting ready for Christmas this time of the year, so we are getting prepared,” said Sheriff Scott.

Sheriff Scott says the cold weather helps shoplifters. A big winter coat can help conceal what they steal.

But there are some steps businesses can take to try to prevent crime.

“Just being observant I mean you’ve just got to it’s a wariness you’ve got to be aware of what’s going on inside your store and if somebody is not looking quite right definitely keep an eye on them there’s nothing illegal to watch a customer Inside your store,” said Sheriff Scott.

For small businesses shoplifting can be an even bigger issue.

“Your smaller stores especially family operated family-owned businesses they are a little bit more alert because this is actually coming out of their bottom line, so they definitely are going to be more alert to it,” said Sheriff Scott.

Lou Wyatt, a manager at Mossy Oak, says security is a year ’round job.

“We have security cameras in store, and then we also have our staff walk around monitoring especially when it’s busy, and this time of year we get very busy, so it’s hard to keep an eye on every customer, but we just try to you know make your presence known in the store,” said Wyatt.

Wyatt tells us it isn’t always the big tickets items walking out the door. It’s usually smaller items like caps and socks.