The Lucknow Sentinel, 1978-10-18, Page 530
P
Paso 22er.leielkoow Sootioell WedisettSyr. October 18 1978
SHOPLIFTIN
IS
L1NG
Did you know? .
Shoplifting is stealing, and stealing is a criminal act. So-called
high spirited "fun" and youthful "pranks" can cause young people
a lifetime of trouble. Too many teen-agers are unaware of the
serious harm that a criminal record, evert for what might seem to
be a petty violation, can do to their lives and futures.
Even if the punishment does not include a jail sentence; the.
criminal record remains; and it says "Thief".
Why do teen-agers shoplift?
Across the country young people, many from middle and upper
income families, are pilfering merchandise. Why do teen-agers
commit a criminal act .that will probably result in arrest and
jeopardize their futures? The common answers are:
"1 did it for kicks"
"It was just a prank"
w
"1 did it on adore"
".'It, was port of an initiation"
In other words .they think it's more a sport than a crime But
the, low makes no provision for a "sport". Shoplifting is stealing
and stealing is a criminal act. The shoplifter is a thief, not a
prankster.
Never break the law on a dare — it takes more courage to turn.
down' a dare than to accept it, and your friends know this. In the
tong run they will respect you for sticking to your beliefs. Don't fall
for that 'chiken" routine.
Why didn't someone tell me?
Many young people when arrested for shoplifting say, "Why didn't
someone tell me that shoplifting was a crime?" Ignorance of the
law is no excuse and no defence against prosecution and
• conviction.
•
Shoplifting is stealing and stealing is a criminal act. Stealing a $l
pen is the same as stealing $2 from a cash register or from
someone's pocket -- it's a crime.
"But the .store 'won't miss . it"
Sarre teen-agers,seem `to think that stores make a lot ofmoney
c itd»won't'miss o book,, fir p record, or a blouse or a. belt.
Out the fad is that do► rhiss it, tied thpy'kaow.thiey arae losir,p rttore
b skgslifti orad► yeart,AThey:pre ',lasing merchandise that has
• F "fig ».
What
the
Well -
Dressed
Shoplifter is Wearing...
been bought and paid for bythe store and taking it is stealing. (f
something that belonged to you were, stolen, it would be a great
loss; so it is with a store,.
Stores getting tough!
Because of this growing problem stores are getting tough with
shoplifters and are taking measure., to catch Them in the act.
Stores are no longer letting teen-age shoplifters off with a lecture
and a warning. They are turning .them over to the authorities.
Store managements ore -becoming convinced that the proper way
to deal with young shoplifters 'and their :parents is through the
police and the courts.
"But I'm a juvenile! Nothing
can happen to me" •
Don't you believe it. True, the identity of, a juvenile who commits a
crime is not made public but an offence is still an offence. One
shoplifting conviction con ruin your life.
Furthermore, ,the Juvenile Courts hove the power to transfer
juvenile offenders to Adult Court, where young people are treated
like adylt criminals and can be given jail sentences ---- and often
are.
•
The Juvenile .Coutts have the power to take you out of your home
and send you to training school.
'But it was just for kicks"
ase kicks" can comeback and haunt you forever. A minor
. r
record.easiIy becoines o major problem. Many job applications
ask ,"Were you ever`. arrested" and many employers don't hire.,
people
. with criminal records:
• Y
A job that requires bonding, even that of a stock boy, will
probably be closed to the youth with a record. He may also be
turned down for government jobs at the Federal, Provincial or
Municipal level.
With a criminal retord'it can be difficult, in some cases impossible,
to go info any business br,,°profession where a licence is required,
such ais` law, real estate, or insurance. `
A Crim oat record can keep you out of the college or professional
sxhool, Of Our choke, A stqlen carton of can r kept' one boy. out
of colleges -: and a girl as deniedentry to law school .becpuse of
a stdle;ri swirr►suit.. Vou.aorl •also be denied admission to a foreign
country beco rse of a criminal recor'd,
.I DVER1iSE`IMEN ' $ !!
What can\the law do about it?
You can be arrested if you steal any property from a store; no
matter how little it costs. Iris a crime if you steal even .o lipstick or
a candy bar.
Punishment for a first offence can be as much as two years in jail,
or for theft over 5200.00, as much cis ten years-- shoplifting is
theft and theft .is an indictable offence and is punishable cis such.
How do I hide an arrest from
my parents?
You cannot even a guiltyrplea would not help. Once you are ,
arrested .for shoplifting your parents must be notified before you
con be dealt with in the courts.
What can parents do: about it7
1. Be aware,that "shoplifting" can be just the beginning of
bigger trouble for children.
2. Make sure children understand that shoplifting is stealing and
stealing' is o criminal act:
3 Be certain that your children know what a criminal record can
do to their chances for jobs, colleges, and professions.
4. Know how much money they have. and how they spend it.
5. Know what your son or daughter brings into the house, If it • ,
isn't his or hers, check on where it come from. Don't accept a
pat answer.
6. Know when, where, and why your child is going shopping.
7. Find out what the community is doing about the problem, and
lend your help.
8. Teach your child! that it is more "chicken" to'go along with the
crowd than to refuse to do so.
9. Be alert to a daughter who repeatedly goes shopping with an
extra large handbag o'r shopping bag. These are common
tools of a shoplifter.
T0. Supervise any ''clothes swapping.
11: Set the right example.
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