A California retail company is using body-worn cameras to deter shoplifters

A sudden increase in mass robberies and shoplifting at retail stores across Southern California has some companies getting creative with security, and now customers may notice some employees in stores wearing body-worn cameras.

Retail security staff at clothing outlets like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods now wear body cameras, similar to law enforcement officers, that will record shoppers and, hopefully, deter thieves.

Although loss prevention agents will be clearly marked on their vests to indicate that they are security personnel, not everyone is thrilled with the idea.

“A little aggressive,” one woman told KTLA’s Sandra Mitchell.

KTLA consumer reporter David Lazarus said the idea could be a deterrent to thieves.

“A potential thief goes into the store, sees someone wearing a tactical vest, and says, ‘Well, I’m probably going to get recorded, so I’m not going to do that,'” he explained.

Then again, as Lazarus points out, there are already cameras at the entrance, at the top, and at the cash registers of almost every retail store, and if those don’t deter daring mobs and shoplifters, body-worn cameras are unlikely to either.

“Raise this as desperate times call for desperate measures,” Lazarus said. “It may seem aggressive but it doesn’t really change the equation. Store employees won’t interfere with a shoplifter.

TJX Companies, Inc., the parent company that owns the trio of discount stores, says that while shoplifting has been known to escalate into violent confrontations, the new policy aims to not only deter theft, but enhance the safety of its customers. Customers and employees.

“I think this is great, to help the self-policing loss prevention agents who are going to be doing their security checks here,” said shopper Steve Manjarrez.

TJX told KTLA they only plan to release body-worn recordings to law enforcement or under a subpoena.