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Show In ouropinion Shoplifting surveillance program to be commended Tis the season to be jolly. And to shoplift. Christmas season has become, ironically, associated with shoplifting throughout the country and our fair state. Merchants everywhere are gearing up for the biggest shopping season of all. Some businessmen will be combatting com-batting "shrinkage" by using plain clothed employees, mirrors, checking of bags at the door and other means. Last year, shoplifting in Cedar City was significantly reduced by the presence in stores of Cedar City Police officers, in full uniform. Something about the presence of authority seems to conjure up thoughts of consequences con-sequences and many young (and old) hands are less hesitant to grab an accessible package if policemen are in full, regular view. We commend the efforts of the Cedar City Police Department to combat the rise in shoplifting. The past efforts of rotating through the stores in the South Main Square and other shopping areas such as Downtown and the Plaza will hopefully be repeated this holiday season to keep theft to a minimum. Merchants should be aware of the time and effort involved in undertaking a visual anti-shoplifting anti-shoplifting campaign and thank the police force for their concern. Merchants and retailers should also make a committment to themselves to prosecute all those "caught with the goods" as a detterent to future acts. Many will benefit from a cooperative campaign this season: merchants, consumers, frustrated parents and the kids. Christmas really should be the season to be jolly - not the season to begin a police record. |