'Something isn't working in the system’: VPD operation highlights concerning shoplifting trends
During a three-week operation dubbed Project Barcode, Vancouver police say they made 217 arrests and recovered nearly $80,000 in stolen merchandise.
"We continue to see an alarming trend towards repeat offenders and people using violence to commit their crimes," said Staff Sgt. Mario Mastropieri of the Vancouver Police Department. "There was one retailer that was targeted 53 times by shoplifters during the course of this project."
VPD says 47 of those arrested were repeat offenders. According to the report, mid-sized retailers including London Drugs, The Dollar Store and grocery stores were the most targeted. Twenty-four weapons were also seized, most of them being knives.
"Physical assaults, threats of violence and the abuse of retail workers has escalated, and we need to continue to work together to stop it," said Troy Hunt, the general manager of loss prevention for London Drugs in Greater Vancouver.
In 2022, the VPD says shoplifting rose 30 percent from the previous year. However, police believe the numbers are likely higher, as retailers often don't report small theft.
"You've heard about violence and that's a huge concern," said Walley Wargolet of the Gastown Business Improvement Society. "But there's also this attitude that folks can just come in and take what they want and feel like there really is no impact."
Both Hunt and Wargolet expressed frustrations over the fact that repeat offenders play a major role in the issue.
"If somebody is charged with the offence and they're back out committing the same offence within a couple of days, potentially hurting somebody, then something isn't working in the system," said Hunt.
"We have to look outside the box that we're currently living in because it's just not working. It's as simple as that," said Wargolet.
Police say that the number of shoplifting incidents that involve violence is down 45 percent in 2023 so far, but still remains a source of concern.
Last year, Vancouver saw an average of 20 violent shoplifting incidents per month.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ontario to ban use of cellphones in school classrooms starting in September
Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Kitchener family says their 10-year-old needs life-saving drug that cost $600,000
Raneem, 10, lives with a neurological condition and liver disease and needs Cholbam, a medication, for a longer and healthier life.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Murder charge laid after man falls to death from Toronto apartment balcony
One person has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a man who fell from a balcony following an altercation inside a Toronto apartment building.
Dozens in Italy give a fascist salute on the anniversary of Mussolini's execution
Dozens of people raised their arms in the fascist salute and shouted a fascist chant during ceremonies Sunday to honor Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on the 79th anniversary of his execution.
'Do not consume': Gift Chocolate recalled due to undeclared milk, soy
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for a specific chocolate brand sold in Ontario and Quebec.
Zendaya tennis movie ‘Challengers’ scores at weekend box office
Zendaya and castmates Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor have been on a globetrotting press tour to get the word out about Italian director Luca Guadagnino's original film, which opened in 3,477 locations in the U.S. and Canada.
Nicole Kidman, who 'makes movies better,' gets AFI Life Achievement Award
Morgan Freeman spoke the words, but pretty much everyone who took the stage at the presentation of the AFI Life Achievement Award agreed: "Nicole Kidman. She makes movies better."