UNDER WATCH
Home Depot installs new ‘mobile’ anti-theft measure – but guard insists shoppers will not be physically hurt by scheme
Customers have been quick to share their thoughts about the more physical anti-theft tactic
SHOPPERS at one Home Depot location have been reassured that the new anti-theft measure adopted by the store will not physically harm them.
New Yorkers who visit the hardware store in New Rochelle will witness the new anti-theft measure in action as it patrols the area.
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In a bid to tackle shoplifting that costs the retail industry over $100 billion every year, The Home Depot store has deployed guard dogs to protect their inventory.
Two security guards wearing bulletproof vests and MSA Security caps now patrol the store with a trusty German shepherd in tow, according to The New York Post.
While cameras and other technological anti-theft measures are effective, the more traditional forms of security such as guards and guard dogs will provide a more physical deterrent to thieves.
"It’s more about omnipresence," one guard told the news outlet.
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The guard explained that shoppers would not be in any danger from the dogs.
"It’s not like we let them go bite anyone or anything," he said.
He claimed that the security company was hired by The Home Depot a few weeks ago.
The guard explained it came as the store struggles with "a myriad of things...like people breaking into cars, that kind of stuff."
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'STOP THESE CRIMES'
The move has been praised by some shoppers who think other retailers may take note.
"Good. Use these security guards and dogs to stop the shoplifting that goes on," one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
'Never stolen,' shopper cries after 'upsetting' anti-theft measure stopped her from physically leaving grocery store
"When Home Depot sees how much they save when less shoplifting happens because of the security guards, they will put them in all their stores.
"Other merchants will start to follow their example."
"I think that this may be a good solution for deterring criminals that do not deserve to get away with their intended crimes," another said.
"It is time to stop these crimes!"
However, The Home Depot corporate spokeswoman Margaret Smith did not say if locations in the Brox will also introduce the canine deterrents, per the Post.
Anti-theft measures rolled out by retailers
Retailers across the US and Canada have rolled out strategies designed to combat theft. The U.S. Sun has compiled a list of measures that have been implemented at stores.
- Locking items in cabinets.
- Security pegs.
- Security cameras.
- Signs warning about the impact of theft.
- Receipt scanners.
- Receipt checks.
- Carts with locking technology
"While we can’t go into specifics about our security measures, it’s not unusual for us to use third-party security at various stores across the country," The Home Depot told The U.S. Sun.
Meanwhile, a Walmart shopper has claimed that an anti-theft measure used by the retailer has "attacked his rights."
The use of self-checkouts and the subsequent security policies that have been introduced to tackle the shoplifting that occurs at the self-service registers has long been a hot topic.
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One shopper who had his transaction put on hold by an employee who wanted to search his bags said that he refused as "our rights are being attacked on multiple fronts."
Similar comments have been made by frustrated shoppers who have encountered receipt checks.