Major Duncan Wiggins with the Cadiz Police Department spoke to Cadiz Renaissance on Main Tuesday night, and among the topics was security.
Following a recent rash of break-ins in the area, Cadiz Renaissance on Main is working with the Cadiz Police Deparment to educate business owners on ways to protect themselves and their property. Major Duncan Wiggins says retail theft, mainly in the form of shoplifting, is a problem everywhere.
Shop owners tend to misunderstand laws about shoplifting. For example, it's a common belief that shoplifters must leave a store with merchandise before they've broken a law. But Wiggins says shoplifting is legally defined as concealing unpurchased merchandise with the intent to steal. He also says that Kentucky law allows store owners and employees to detain a person if they have reasonable cause to believe that person is stealing.
Wiggins cautions that it's not always worth the potential for physical harm to pursue shoplifters.
He reminds store owners to always call the police when they suspect a shoplifter.
Wiggins says shoplifters are most likely to take small, valuable items. Although local shoplifters range in age from children stealing candy to the elderly, most shoplifting is currently done with the intent to pawn items for drug money. He says installing video systems is a good way to combat shoplifting, especially systems with high resolution and audio. And he recommends alarm systems with plenty of noise and lights.
To report a suspected shoplifter in a non-emergency situation, Wiggins recommends calling 522-8888 to speak to a dispatcher. He also says the Cadiz Police Department is always happy to answer security questions and give advice to business and home owners.
Following a recent rash of break-ins in the area, Cadiz Renaissance on Main is working with the Cadiz Police Deparment to educate business owners on ways to protect themselves and their property. Major Duncan Wiggins says retail theft, mainly in the form of shoplifting, is a problem everywhere.
Shop owners tend to misunderstand laws about shoplifting. For example, it's a common belief that shoplifters must leave a store with merchandise before they've broken a law. But Wiggins says shoplifting is legally defined as concealing unpurchased merchandise with the intent to steal. He also says that Kentucky law allows store owners and employees to detain a person if they have reasonable cause to believe that person is stealing.
Wiggins cautions that it's not always worth the potential for physical harm to pursue shoplifters.
He reminds store owners to always call the police when they suspect a shoplifter.
Wiggins says shoplifters are most likely to take small, valuable items. Although local shoplifters range in age from children stealing candy to the elderly, most shoplifting is currently done with the intent to pawn items for drug money. He says installing video systems is a good way to combat shoplifting, especially systems with high resolution and audio. And he recommends alarm systems with plenty of noise and lights.
To report a suspected shoplifter in a non-emergency situation, Wiggins recommends calling 522-8888 to speak to a dispatcher. He also says the Cadiz Police Department is always happy to answer security questions and give advice to business and home owners.
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