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Show Teenage Shoplifting: Just Sport? By DAVE WIGHAM At least once a week in the Bountiful court. Judge Johnson John-son has a teenager in front of him for shoplifting. This crime, and it is a crime, is treated more like a game by the younger generation of today. MANY YOUNG people don't realize that shoplifting is a crime, another word for it is stealing. While manv young people wouldn't think of stealing anything, they don't hesitate to shoplift. Many from middle and upper income families are pilfering merchandise. Why do teenagers commit a criminal act that will probably proba-bly result in arrest and maybe jeopardize their future? fu-ture? COMMON ANSWERS given Judge Johnson include, "1 did it for kicks", or "It was just a prank", another one is the old "I did it on a dare", routine. In other words they think of shoplifting as more of a sport than a crime. The only problem with that is that the law doesn't make provisions of so called 'sports'. NEVER BREAK the law on a dare, it takes more courage to turn down such a dare than to accept it. And don't fall for the 'chicken' bit either. Because of the growing problem with shoplifting stores are getting tougher and are taking measures to catch them in the act. STORES ARE no longer letting teenagers off with a lecture and a warning, they are turning them over to the authorities. So next time you get a dare or think of pranks, just remember shoplifting is not a game, it is a crime and it could affect your future. |