Bad Boys Bad Boys - Whatcha' gonna do?

When Dirty Larry came home from work today, I asked him how his day went. He said it was fine. I asked him what he did and he said, "Put somebody in jail, you know, normal stuff". The stories he tells about shoplifters never cease to amaze me. They arrest an average of 4 people a week, all of which go directly to jail where they can make bond. They eventually go to court and get slapped on the wrist and might even get probation or have to do a little community service or something, but rarely does anyone have to actually serve any jail time. They are all served with what he calls a "trespass" which bars them from the property or any sister properties owned by the company. He estimates that the 4 they catch is about 1/3 of the total of the shoplifting activity going on.

There is a camera room where operators sit and scan the store, looking for tell tale signs, which to their trained eyes are obvious. The major two things are (1) people who enter the store with large shopping bags on their person, especially one that bears the store name or the name of a store that isn't anywhere in the area and (2) people who enter with baby strollers. The operators are constantly talking to the computer monitors, begging the suspicious people to abort their mission, especially when they have their kids with them. "Don't do it, lady! Don't do it!" But sadly, some people just don't seem to receive the message via ESP.

I asked him to tell me the saddest encounter he had and he said it was hands down the times where the people had their children with them. The children get understandably upset. He immediately starts telling them to call somebody to come get their kids because when the police cart them away, the kids will automatically go to DHR. He hates it when people don't believe him and let too much time pass before they call somebody.

I just don't get it. I really don't get it. If you can't afford 4 polo shirts for your kid, then your kid should be polo-less. Seriously. If you need a belt and can't afford the $60 one, go to Wal-Mart and find one for $5 that will keep your pants up. If you want a candy bar THAT bad, take one of the bills from your pocket and PAY the nice lady for it. What happened that these people don't care what their mama is gonna say and where are their morals? Great eejits.