That's an assumption. I'm sure they can figure it out if they choose to do so. But, they made a business decision that what is involved (work, safety, pricing, aggravation to other customers, etc) is not worth it to them. If I went into Walmart and had to ask for every little thing to be unlocked so I could buy it, I would stop going there. Walmart can solve it but they don't to be the end result of those actions. Walmart is NOT in the business to serve a community. There is nothing altruistic about their presence no matter what marketing to the contrary. Woke communities that, among other things, won't prosecute and punish crime deserve what results. Remember when crime dropped precipitously when Guiliani prosecuted jay walkers. Almost no one shop lifts in Saudi Arabia - makes it hard to wipe your ass.

Leaving the area where shoplifting is prevalent is a great strategy.

Checkout stations at Walmart are terrible
 

The checkout stations at Walmart are terrible. I limit my shopping at Walmarts because of this . The self checkouts are irritating and the manned stations are slow with long lines. Walmart should take a lesson from Aldi and see how to efficiently run a business. Also, the use of plastic bags is an environmental blunder.

They have replaced all the older ones and the new ones work far better. The plastic bags are still an irritant.

Don’t be sad for something like this - there are more important things to be sad about - like the stock market being in a “loss” position for the year - after a TERRIBKE last years result!!!

Markets are up YTD, not down.
 

You need better news sources, markets are up YTD.

Lol! THAT is what is known as a pithy comment!

I doubt many Americans would advocate the law hacking off the hand of shoplifters, even though it does work. What this example does show though is that where the penalty for a crime is potentially much harsher than anything one can expect to GAIN from that crime--well, crime drops significantly. I don't know if the case of that person who was charged with a third degree felony for shoplifting two containers of ice cream and one of whipped cream here in TV has been adjudicated yet, but you can darn well bet that the penalty levied, if any, will go a long way toward determining if that person ever shoplifts in the future.

Have a friend who is supplementing income at Walmart. Their training of employees on safety is predictable, no weapons allowed. Training on gun codes is hide if you hear gunshots and can't get out of the building. Grab anything you can and hit a gun yeilding person if you are in position to ambush perpatrator to take them out rather than be shot (say they are around the corner from you).

Theft policy training is once a shoplifting perp is out the door and outside of the car pilon poles they are free to go. No chasing them down. If someone is putting two items in a bag say at self checkout then kindly go talk with them... "it would appear there is trouble with checking out, may I assist you?" - non-confrontational talk.

Walmart security weighs heavily on video footage not putting employees at risk and only management is supposed to deal with the shoplifters and perps.

Looks like some stores are having a little problem with those policies just a tad bit.

It's nice as they go. They too added more self checkout. It is primarily groceries. Definitely is jammed at times. Parking can be of issue. Best time to shop there is early morning and late evening.

I have a relative that stole a tube of lipstick years ago and it is still on her record and keeps her from getting a job at times. Sad when it isn’t even a crime in many locations now.

Sadly, the decent, hard working citizens in Portland will lose their jobs, will not be able to shop at Walmart, and be sitting on worthless real estate. This is what happens when there are no rules.

From where? Sure the market is up YTD, but from what low point? You choose

A person is not charged with a felony for simple petit theft. In order to garner that level of charge, a penalty enhancement must be triggered. While I am not familiar with the details of the case mentioned, there are several aggravating factors that can lead to a felony charge. One is being a repeat or habitual offender. If that were the case, the offender obviously did not get the message after previous convictions. Another could be the possession or use of an anti-shoplifting device. That can be construed as prima facie evidence of pre-meditation, or a clear intent to steal. Whatever the facts are, a person is not going to eat a felony charge for a first offense minor theft.

As a previous poster noted, if there is no consequence to theft, there is no prevention. As an example, if someone at Walmart left the store with say $200.00 in merchandise and they walked past the pylons at the entrance/exit, a security guard can stop them. Yet the next step is calling local law enforcement but in cities such as Portland, the thief would not even have to appear in court for a $200.00 theft. So why should Walmart spend more money when there is no consequence.

Fighting crime is the job of government. Out of control in many Cities like Portland.