Kansas City Metro Police Crackdown On Shoplifters & Crooks Amid Holiday Recession

Let's think critically about this for just a second . . .

Are public safety resources best spent playing mall cop for dying retail biz?!?!

There are legit arguments for and against . . . 

Police protecting commerce helps generate the local economy and sales tax receipts.

However . . .

In a world where most purchases are now conducted online . . . Maybe protecting an outdated mode of financial transaction isn't the concern of the criminal justice system. 

It's something worth considering inasmuch as locals should avoid shoplifting enforcement seeming like enforcing prison time against Jean Valjean for stealing a loaf of bread . . . Then again . . . The holiday season desolation of Kansas City's Country Club Plaza PROVES that crime in the name of social justice often demoralizes communities and results in economic losses that impact surrounding neighborhoods.  

Meanwhile . . . This story is more straightforward . . .

Undercover with Operation Full Cart Press to see the tactics and strategies police and deputies are using to stop retail theft.

Deputies stood by in an unmarked vehicle for hours waiting for word from loss prevention officers inside stores if they saw anyone shoplifting.

They were ready to swoop in and apprehend anyone leaving the stores, while deputies and officers stood by in marked vehicles in other parking lots in case suspects got away.

The deputies looked for stolen license plates, cars backed into handicapped spots and parked along shopping center curbs as potential vehicles of interest.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

KMBC 9 Investigates: Going undercover with law enforcement stopping shoplifters

The Clay County Sheriff's Office and Liberty Police Department are watching parking lots and stores much closer after an operation last week that caught suspected shoplifters in the act.