With new cameras near the register, and every employee carrying a whistle, customers may notice some subtle changes at Junkee Clothing Exchange in the Reno Public Market.
The owner says she’s trying to crack down on theft, especially after the store suffered a spike in customers stealing over spring break.
“We all have whistles. We’ll lock the door,” Jessica Schneider said on Tuesday. “I don’t care if it’s $2. You cannot steal from me. I won’t put up with it.”
Junkee is not alone. The Reno Police Department said retail theft has increased across the community.
“It started small, with people stealing a little bit here and there. Now we’re seeing organized groups go in and steal items, large amounts,” said Commander Daniel Bond with RPD.
He added that the force has conducted several successful sting operations to catch multiple thieves all at once. The department hopes that catching and prosecuting theft is enough of a deterrent to curb the upward trend.
At the same time, police are working with business owners to help them protect their stores. Bond says officers are encouraging owners to file police reports and turn over security camera footage to police so that they can follow up and try to catch suspects after the fact.
“Actually, a lot of our local home improvement stores do that, where they’ll keep track of somebody who’s done several thefts. They provide us that information, then we’re able to prosecute them,” Bond said.
He added that police do not recommend that employees approach a thief or try to stop a crime in progress. However, businesses are allowed to develop their own policies and procedures on theft.
Schneider is opting to take an active role in stopping customers she suspects are stealing.
“I’m not giving up, and I’m not letting people steal from me,” she said. “I would never walk into your closet and just take whatever I want.”
