I'd be very interested in my foreign readers' views on this film.
Yesterday I went to Walmart for some grocery shopping. The closest Walmart to my house is in not the greatest area. A police cruiser was backed up on the sidewalk in front of the store. Like a show of force. A private security truck patrolled the parking lot. A city police officer stood in the front of the store. There are at least 25 self-checkouts, but only four were open. There were lines at 10am. Anything someone might want to steal is locked up behind plexiglass. I needed some batteries, but decided the hassle of finding a worker to unlock the display wasn't worth the hassle. Shaving supplies, deodorant, skin care products, even underwear -- all locked up. A person approached me as I was leaving the store to check my receipt.
I asked why they didn't open more self-checkouts. Too many people stealing today, I was told.
Why do I even go there? The prices are definitely low. Milk is $2.55 vs $3.59 at the grocery store nearby my house. Now I am reconsidering.
What a sad state of this country that a store needs to go to these lengths for loss control.
I’m sorry to read this of this. This state of affairs is not something that I would have imagined a decade ago.
ReplyDeleteI really wish we could adopt some of Singapore's policies here to reduce crime -- like caning.
DeleteI watched the show last night. Felt sad and very disturbed watching it. Lots of thoughts went through my mind and i do strongly believe there are much much to be looked into at all levels of the society, starting at the very top… imposing of punishments is one thing, but agreeing to live and let live esp given the realities of multiculturalism, winning of hearts and minds, etc are all too important imo.
DeleteMy comment about adopting some of Sg's policies to reduce crime was related to the Walmart situation. People shoplift and get away with it.
DeleteThe Perfect Neighbor shows what can happen when guns are available to everyone. When difficult people can't get along with others problems are solved with the gun.
Wal-Mart has invested in some serious high & low tech to combat theft. They always press charges. For some reason Wal-Mart's seem to be a crooks heaven and they flock there. I live in a nice area and even here our police spend the majority of their shifts responding to calls at Wal-Mart if it's not shoplifting, it's disturbances. I don't shop there just because it seems like too much of a hassle to get a good deal. However, shoplifting is big all over just some stores are hit worse than others.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the crooks want to get a good deal on some stuff, and steal the rest!
DeleteAfter reading your post, I feel blessed that it does not happen in our local grocer. The only item that are locked up behind plexiglass is baby milk formula. As far as I am still living, I have never seen a broad daylight shoplifting incident happen as much as it happens at your country.
ReplyDeleteI've seen people with a cart full of baby formula make a mad dash out the door of the grocery store. So many TikTok videos of people being arrested for shoplifting. This is what happens when stupid laws are put in place -- like you have to steal more than $950 for it to be a crime.
DeleteI thought the Perfect Neighbor was well done.
ReplyDelete