The large number of people who visit Target’s stores each day makes it an easy target for shoplifters who can get away with their stolen goods.
To answer your question about Target’s shoplifting policy, here are some answers: Here are the results of my investigation!
Shoplifting Policy at Target By the year 2022,
Since 2022, Target has a strict shoplifting policy in place at its stores in order to prevent and address shoplifting. Loss prevention security guards and a variety of deterrent strategies are all part of this strategy. A variety of penalties exist, including fines, store bans, and the involvement of police.
Read on if you’d like to learn more about whether Target detains shoplifters, whether it has a no-chase policy, and whether Target can press charges against shoplifters
Shoplifting Policy: What Is Target’s
As a result of Target’s zero-tolerance approach to shoplifting, the company employs security guards and video surveillance systems in every store.
The police will be called in if Target suspects a high-value or dangerous-goods theft, and shoplifters will be barred from entering in the future.
It is important to note, however, that Target has a no chase policy for shoplifters who flee the store and attempt to flee.
Is Target’s in-store surveillance system monitored?
Target employs a wide range of security measures, including CCTV cameras that are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Face recognition and image analytics are built into these cameras to help the business identify and track down shoplifters.
Since customers enter the store, they are immediately monitored by CCTV cameras. Sometimes, this surveillance extends to the parking lots of the store as well.
Shoplifters: Are You Safe at Target?
There are few instances where a suspected shoplifter is stopped by Target’s Asset Protection security officers before they have exited the store.
However, the Asset Protection Team Lead can issue a “variance to exit” authorization, allowing security to detain a person in certain circumstances.
A person must usually be observed approaching, taking, and concealing merchandise before this can happen, as well as being observed purposefully passing the final point where payment for the merchandise is to be made.
Are Shoplifters Detained by Target?
As long as they have reasonable evidence, target security guards have the authority to detain someone.
The customer may be asked to step aside or into a back room for investigation if Target security officers have witnessed a theft and observed the customer leaving the store without paying for the merchandise.
Are Shoplifters’ Bags Searchable by Target?
If Target suspects that you’re shoplifting, it can check your bag as long as the procedure is voluntary and the customer agrees to it.
Personal items such as a purse cannot be searched by the police.
In order to deter shoplifters from stealing, Target security officers tend to be more aggressive in their approach to minor thefts.
Is Target’s “No Chase” Shoplifting Policy in effect?
No Target security officer is allowed to pursue shoplifters who try to flee the store.
Target’s security officers must follow a shoplifter from a safe distance while keeping an eye on him because the company has a strict “no chase” policy.
This information can be given to the police by Target’s security staff, who will then work to apprehend the shoplifter.
Why Do Shoplifters Not Get Chased by Target?
For reasons of customer safety, Target does not go after shoplifters outside of the store.
To ensure the safety of its employees and customers, the company prefers to leave dangerous situations to the police.
In addition, if it turns out that the alleged shoplifter was not in fact a customer, they may sue the business, putting it in jeopardy of additional liabilities.
Customers are free to decline any requests to see their receipts or check their bags as they leave the store, and they must give their permission to show proof of purchase.
Is Shoplifting a Crime at Target?
A shoplifter who steals from a Target store will not be prosecuted.
An individual cannot be charged directly with any crime if the company files a police report or asks the prosecutor’s office for help.
Target can issue a civil demand letter after a theft incident requesting monetary compensation, which you can either pay or ignore and risk a small claims case being raised against you, depending on the local state law.
Is Target Able to Prove Shoplifters Guilty?
Repetitive shoplifters can be prosecuted, according to Target employees.
Target has a method for dealing with shoplifters that they use to reduce theft across all of their retail locations.
Since the value of the stolen goods must rise to a certain threshold before a shoplifter is charged with a felony, it is not uncommon for Target to delay apprehending shoplifters who commit multiple thefts.
Although this method isn’t explicitly stated in Target’s policy, employees in some locations attest to it being practiced there.
Are Shoplifters Monitored By Target?
Some Target stores keep a binder with images from surveillance cameras of shoplifters who have been identified but not caught to aid in loss prevention.
If there is ever a need for this evidence in a legal case, Target keeps track of what items were stolen and when they were taken.
The consequences of being caught shoplifting at Target are as follows:
If you’re caught shoplifting at Target, one of three things will happen: you’ll either be fined or face criminal charges.
You’ll be detained by Asset Protection security officers while they work to resolve the problem in-store.
If you attempt to circumvent this ban, you risk being barred from the store permanently and facing more serious consequences.
The police may get involved, and depending on how much money was stolen, you could face fines or charges.
Merchandise that has been returned to the store is photographed and documented before being restocked on the sales floor.
A full refund is required if the item cannot be restocked because it has been damaged or soiled.
When a shoplifter is apprehended at Target, what recourse does he or she have?
The shoplifter will face felony shoplifting charges if the merchandise value exceeds a minimum amount that is generally $500 to $1000 in most states.
Shoplifters who make off with less than $500 in merchandise may face felony or misdemeanor charges, and their crime may be classified as petty theft or another form of larceny.
How Serious Is Target’s Shoplifting Policy?
Target’s forensic labs in Las Vegas and Minneapolis are among the nation’s best, demonstrating the company’s commitment to loss prevention.
Video and image analysis, fingerprint identification, and computer forensics are used by the company to investigate organized crime.
When it comes to preventing and deterring customers from shoplifting, Target has a Loss Prevention team of the highest caliber.
Target is more lenient with first-time teenage offenders and disenfranchised community members, so the severity of punishment and the involvement of law enforcement will vary based on the level of theft and the perpetrator.
How does Target keep its stores safe from shoplifters?
To keep shoplifters away, Target has a robust anti-shoplifting program.
In order to deter shoplifters, some exits have video surveillance, undercover store security officers, and uniformed personnel posted.
Non-combative methods like approaching a customer and asking if they need help finding items are taught to Target employees throughout the store to deter potential shoplifting activity.
Our previous posts on if Target monitors their cameras, the Best Buy shoplifting policy, and the Kroger shoplifting policy can help you learn more about this topic.
Bottom Line: Adopt a Shoplifting Prevention Policy
A comprehensive anti-shoplifting policy is in place at Target, and it includes everything from video surveillance and security officers to theft tracing and reporting.
A no-chase policy is in place, but shoplifters who are caught can be detained and banned from the store. Criminal charges of felony shoplifting may necessitate police involvement.
