Shoplifters Beware: Police, Retailers Network to Prevent Theft

Shoplifting is a common occurrence in Fairlawn, Bath Township and Copley stores, according to Fairlawn police Chief Kenneth Walsh. To combat it, three detectives, one each from each city's detective agency, are  starting a network with retailers that will notify each store of criminal activity.

A letter was sent to retailers on Feb. 27 notifying loss prevention officers about this new network and inviting them to a forum at 10:30 a.m. on March 21 at the Fairlawn Community Center.

"We're working on a new program to disseminate information in a timely fashion between retailers," Walsh said. "When someone discovers their card is missing or stolen, they can alert the police and retailers will be notified to watch out for that person's card."

Police will also use the network to alert retailers via email or text message about quick change artists, counterfeit money distributors, people passing bad checks or if a wallet is stolen.

"A lot of times by the time someone figures out that their card is stolen, it's too late," Walsh said. "Before they can report it missing to the bank, it's already been used."

The ability to solve cases will improve with this new network, Walsh added. This type of crime isn't at higher levels than normal, it just needs to be addressed, he said.

"They (the three detectives) see the benefit of this, and the need," Walsh said. "Short of a video or eyewitness, it's hard to solve cases like this."