Whether you’re a customer or looking to work at Publix, it’s imperative to know their shoplifting policy. This is because they handle things quite a bit differently than most nationwide chains.
So, does Publix prosecute shoplifters? Yes, Publix prosecutes shoplifters. In fact, they have a zero-tolerance policy about the matter. The value or number of items stolen along with the age of the shoplifter do not factor into their decisions.
They are one of the most aggressive in pursuing prosecution and put pressure on DA’s offices to do so.
The Shoplifting Policy at Publix
We contacted Publix Customer Care Center to ask about their policy, what they expect of employees, how they train employees, and any other pertinent information they could share.
A representative named Jared returned the communication and said they can’t participate in individual information requests. This is because they are a private company and have limits on shared information since this falls into the realm of proprietary information.
However, he did direct us to their website to find the information ourselves. While Jared was friendly and cordial, he would not provide further details on their shoplifting policy, or where to locate it, and wished us luck in finding it.
However, there are many personal accounts from shoplifters and free advice blogs by attorneys about their knowledge of it.
Publix’s Loss Prevention & Procedures
Publix has a Loss Prevention Department, and you can find a myriad of job postings for various positions. There are many security guard jobs available, and they entail adhering to Publix’s commitment to zero-tolerance on shoplifting. But, that’s all they seem to mention about it publicly.
They do seem to train their security guards thoroughly on how to spot shoplifting. They’ll do this in uniform and undercover.
Authorized personnel in this department will confront and approach suspected shoplifters. The training and qualifications they receive mean they have the store’s explicit permission to detain people.
Upon approaching the suspected shoplifter, the security officer must identify him or herself and the reason why they’re stopping the customer. After then, they can only hold a person for a reasonable amount of time.
They are not law enforcement, so they must have bona fide proof of the theft by sight or surveillance if cameras are available.
Security Cameras
While Publix does seem to have security cameras at most locations, not all of them do. The evidence for this comes from personal accounts of people who previously worked in the security position.
They regale us of how there were no cameras in use at their specific store and they had to do everything on foot, standing some eight or more hours per day.
If cameras are in operation, customers and employees agree to have their images captured for the purposes of safety and security. However, it’s unclear when security personnel watches or monitors the footage and how they handle theft caught on video.
Additionally, we don’t know how long they archive footage and for what reasons.
Read also >> Do Stores Post Pictures of Shoplifters? (Do This Now…)
Calling Police
Calling the police is up to the discretion of Loss Prevention and management. There are instances where they haven’t involved the police at all.
Yet, they make the shoplifter sign a promise they will never enter that store again. These occurrences often happen in places where they know the DA won’t prosecute or the laws are loose about shoplifting.
In some cases, Loss Prevention will call the police prior to approaching the shoplifter. This is to ensure they are able to apprehend the suspect without them getting away. But, such an action depends on how much they steal and if they pose a threat to public safety.
One Questionable Instance
While detaining shoplifters is valuable until police arrived, a few well-known instances leave much to desire.
For instance, an 81-year-old woman in Tampa, Florida is suing Publix because of how they handled accusing her of stealing cat food and other items totaling $50. She simply forgot to pay for the items.
They detained her for three hours, which meant she had to leave her 92-year-old husband whom she cares for to fend for himself.
To boot, the security guards mocked her and threatened her with jail time; refusing her water or the restroom.
Read also >> Do Supermarkets Prosecute Shoplifters? (Do This Now!)
Read also >> How Long Does It Take To Get A Civil Demand Letter?
Read also >> What Is Civil Recovery From Shoplifting? (Restitution + More)
Read also >> Should I Pay A Civil Demand Letter For Shoplifting? (Penalty)
Zero Tolerance
Luckily, though, not all the security staff at Publix behave this way. But, it does illustrate their zero-tolerance policy on shoplifting.
Several accounts of shoplifters posting on legal advice sites display this as well. One person comments that every time they steal from Publix, the company prosecutes them to the fullest.
It doesn’t matter if the item stolen is a lollipop or tennis shoes, they will not tolerate any amount of shoplifting at their locations.
The way they tend to go after people means to convey this zero-tolerance policy to people thinking of stealing from the store in the future.
Publix is so serious about combating shoplifting that they even have a position available within the department for organized retail crime.
This is a small group of specialists with skills and training in spotting heists en masse. Because this type of crime is increasing at a growing rate, Publix is attempting to stay on top of it.
Conduct of All Other Employees
All other employees like cashiers, customer service agents, and sales floor clerks are not to approach or confront shoplifters they catch in the act.
They must contact their security officers in Loss Prevention, and notify them of the shoplifter and the location where they witnessed the theft in-store.
Even if they experienced abuse or unfair treatment by the shoplifter, employees can only file a complaint with Loss Prevention.
Under no circumstances should they engage the shoplifter in any way. If an unauthorized employee does try to confront a shoplifter, their job could be at stake.
Procedures for Prosecuting Shoplifters
The procedure for prosecuting shoplifters varies by state and the total value of stolen items. But, how they handle shoplifters in Florida gives us a general idea of what criminal charges people potentially face based on the value of what they steal.
- $100 or Less: This is a 2nd degree misdemeanor that can result in serving 60 days in jail along with $500 in fines and an additional sentence of six months probation.
- $100 to $300: This is a 1st degree misdemeanor with one year in jail, up to $1,000 in fines, and the potential for an additional year of probation.
- $300 or More: This guarantees a felony charge for grand theft. This means up to five years in prison, up to $5,000 in fines, and a five-year probation sentence.
In the event shoplifters are working in tandem with others, Publix reserves the right to charge everyone involved for the total value of stolen goods.
This will lead to felony charges under grand theft. So, if you and a friend shoplift together, you both will be accountable for each other’s theft.
Conclusion
Publix doesn’t take shoplifting lightly and they consider it a serious crime in their stores. They do not seem to have any qualms about the amount or if the person intended to shoplift.
If a customer walks out of the store without paying for the items, they will experience a confrontation with Loss Prevention.
This is simply their commitment to their customers, employees, and the community they serve at large to ensure safety for everyone. In the event they catch a shoplifter, they will prosecute them in most instances.
Reference Sources
https://talkradionews.com/publix-shoplifting-policy-dont-make-these-mistakes/