Not to condone what the "youngster" did, but considering the approach by which he attempted to spirit off the extra merchandise it appears he did so out to satisfy a personal "want" that was well beyond his means. This is in contrast to the OP's experience where the suspect appeared out "for a thrill" or to impress his peers. Certainly, no excuse but IMO the latter reasons are much darker.
Hopefully, the experience caused him to re-examine his approach to the law going forward - a genuine lesson from the school of hard knocks.
LD357 wrote: WAY TO GO!!! Years ago I had a similar experience at my LHS. I was browsing the aisles and noticed a kid, maybe 13 or 14, with a gym bag and a plastic bag from some convience store. He was taking stuff off the shelf, looking at it, putting it back and then standing there staring at it. At first I didn't think much of it, I did the same thing. But when he passed me in another aisle I saw a box of Tamiya 1\350 scale a\c inside the plastic bag.....HMM, I thought, does 7\11 sell Tamiya models now? I went up and told the owner, who I'd known for years, that he should watch this kid and check both bags. When the kid finally came up he had one 79c. bottle of paint and paid for it nickles and pennies. As he was about to leave the owner said ''how about my other stuff you have there, are you going to pay for it?'' The kid got a scared look on his face and made a move toward the door, but with my considerable bulk in the way he couldn't make it out. The owner called the police and when they showed up the kid started crying and wanting mommy. In a search of his bags the police found three model kits, some paint and a tube of glue, and some other stuff that he couldn't provide reciepts for. He was cuffed and his bike put in the trunk of the cruiser and off he went crying for mommy and saying he wouldn't ever be bad again. I also declined a ''reward'' and told the owner that I wanted to make sure he could make a living and not have to raise the prices on the rest of us HONEST folks because some moron wanted to steal. It's especially important for small business owners to keep theft to a minimum, there's precious few hobby shops these days and if we can prevent them from raising prices or worse, going out of business, we all benefit.
WAY TO GO!!!
Years ago I had a similar experience at my LHS. I was browsing the aisles and noticed a kid, maybe 13 or 14, with a gym bag and a plastic bag from some convience store. He was taking stuff off the shelf, looking at it, putting it back and then standing there staring at it.
At first I didn't think much of it, I did the same thing. But when he passed me in another aisle I saw a box of Tamiya 1\350 scale a\c inside the plastic bag.....HMM, I thought, does 7\11 sell Tamiya models now? I went up and told the owner, who I'd known for years, that he should watch this kid and check both bags. When the kid finally came up he had one 79c. bottle of paint and paid for it nickles and pennies. As he was about to leave the owner said ''how about my other stuff you have there, are you going to pay for it?'' The kid got a scared look on his face and made a move toward the door, but with my considerable bulk in the way he couldn't make it out. The owner called the police and when they showed up the kid started crying and wanting mommy. In a search of his bags the police found three model kits, some paint and a tube of glue, and some other stuff that he couldn't provide reciepts for. He was cuffed and his bike put in the trunk of the cruiser and off he went crying for mommy and saying he wouldn't ever be bad again.
I also declined a ''reward'' and told the owner that I wanted to make sure he could make a living and not have to raise the prices on the rest of us HONEST folks because some moron wanted to steal. It's especially important for small business owners to keep theft to a minimum, there's precious few hobby shops these days and if we can prevent them from raising prices or worse, going out of business, we all benefit.
Have fun with your trains
Tracklayer wrote: pain in my neck which has been there since 1983. ...the manager that then chewed me out after he left for creating a situation for a possible lawsuit. She said if I ever did anything like that again that she would fire me... Tracklayer
...the manager that then chewed me out after he left for creating a situation for a possible lawsuit. She said if I ever did anything like that again that she would fire me...
Tracklayer
I would have leaned across her desk so that our noses just about touched and said in a very quiet voice, "You just did."
larak wrote: Tracklayer wrote: Speaking of firing......http://kstp.com/article/stories/S437400.shtml?cat=1 Ugh.If anyone would like to express their outrage at this corporate sponsorship of the criminal element you can do so at: http://www.speedway.com/ContactUs/RateOurStores.aspxRoseville is in MN. I just entered Fairview ave for location and then made some polite but cogent comments.
Tracklayer wrote: Speaking of firing......http://kstp.com/article/stories/S437400.shtml?cat=1 Ugh.
Speaking of firing......http://kstp.com/article/stories/S437400.shtml?cat=1
Ugh.
If anyone would like to express their outrage at this corporate sponsorship of the criminal element you can do so at: http://www.speedway.com/ContactUs/RateOurStores.aspx
Roseville is in MN. I just entered Fairview ave for location and then made some polite but cogent comments.
I used to work night shift in a gas station in a remote area when I was younger. Boss told me not to carry any weapons or put up any fight if I got robbed. (Poop on the no weapon thing!) I kept a 38 in my pocket and a club under the counter. Never had to use them, but there were a few scary incidents. A year after I quit, the guy that replaced me was shot and killed in a robbery attempt.
The mind is like a parachute. It works better when it's open. www.stremy.net
Tracklayer wrote: topcopdoc wrote: Be careful my friend, I received permenant injuries to my neck doing the same thing. The suspect was a juvenile and it took myself and 3 other men to finally subdue him. In addition the suspect signed counter complaints against me for assault. Then his mother filed a civil suit against me.When all was settled he was found guilty and the civil suit was dismissed. He got a slap on the wrist and I am typing this with a pain in my neck which has been there since 1983.DocI had something like this happen to me back in the early 80s while working at a small department store. Some kids came in one evening after school and tried stealing a bicycle innertube. I waited until the kid walked out the door with it then went out and confronted him. I told him if he tried to run that I'd be more than happy to chase and tackle him if I had to. He came back in the store, gave the tube back and was chewed out by the manager that then chewed me out after he left for creating a situation for a possible lawsuit. She said if I ever did anything like that again that she would fire me... Wasn't that real nice of her. Tracklayer
topcopdoc wrote: Be careful my friend, I received permenant injuries to my neck doing the same thing. The suspect was a juvenile and it took myself and 3 other men to finally subdue him. In addition the suspect signed counter complaints against me for assault. Then his mother filed a civil suit against me.When all was settled he was found guilty and the civil suit was dismissed. He got a slap on the wrist and I am typing this with a pain in my neck which has been there since 1983.Doc
Be careful my friend, I received permenant injuries to my neck doing the same thing. The suspect was a juvenile and it took myself and 3 other men to finally subdue him.
In addition the suspect signed counter complaints against me for assault. Then his mother filed a civil suit against me.
When all was settled he was found guilty and the civil suit was dismissed. He got a slap on the wrist and I am typing this with a pain in my neck which has been there since 1983.
Doc
I had something like this happen to me back in the early 80s while working at a small department store. Some kids came in one evening after school and tried stealing a bicycle innertube. I waited until the kid walked out the door with it then went out and confronted him. I told him if he tried to run that I'd be more than happy to chase and tackle him if I had to. He came back in the store, gave the tube back and was chewed out by the manager that then chewed me out after he left for creating a situation for a possible lawsuit. She said if I ever did anything like that again that she would fire me... Wasn't that real nice of her.
It seems like way too many kids think it's OK to lie, cheat, and steal. I think you're not only doing good for the merchant but also good for (some) of the kids. They need to learn that what they're doing is not OK, and sometimes they have to learn that from a stranger.
Ed
It is a comfort to know that people like Red Horse exist. One should recognize, however, that he had extensive training and experience to be aware of the propriety of his actions and have the ability to tackle the job with minimal risk to himself and others. Most of us are not. If there is no immediate threat to life, it is best for most of us to observe and report, rather than to physically involve ourselves, assuming we're even physically capable.
I am a supporter of the 2nd Amendment right for individual citizens to possess and carry firearms. I don't live in a state where one can carry firearms either openly or hidden in most public places (it is only permitted on public hunting grounds or with permission on private property), but even if I did I doubt I would carry a firearm in a state that allowed it. I don't want to accept the responsibility, inconvenience, and discomfort even my small snub-nosed S&W revolver would impose. Nevertheless, I would feel more secure knowing there were responsible armed citizens in the immediate vicinity. But ultimately, we as individuals, not the police or other citizens, are responsible for our safety and need to make a conscious and informed decision as to what lengths we are willing and able to take.
Mark
Medina 1128,
I did sue the juvenile's (age 17) mother for his actions. I won in civil court but due to a loop-hole in the law I was limited to the amount of settlement. Her insurance would pay if it was an "unintentional act". If it was an intentional act I would have a judgement against a 17 year old who would never pay it.
I chose the former and collected a four-figure settlement. My lawyer took a chunk out of that and with the rest my wife was able to buy some new curtains for the house.
Now the curtains, and the house are gone but I still have the pain in my neck from my injuries. "Justice prevails"!
Kudos, Red Horse - bet the kid's two 'buddies' won't be in that store for a while, and might even think before egging someone on to try that someplace else, too.
Maybe after the trial's done, you could treat the LHS owner to dinner (if you're both single)...
Blessings,
Jim in Cape Girardeau
Well, it's certainly easy to see where that kid got his sense of right and wrong. I AM sorry for the pain you've endured, but since you were injured, ever think of turning the tables on his mom and suing her? Too many kids today know that their parents will defend them to the end. I know if I'd done what that kid did, I'd STILL be sitting on a pillow; and I'm 53 now!
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
Cederstrand wrote: ***Red Horse, Excellent! May just have saved the future direction of several individuals.***Rotor, Howdy neighbor...(in north GA here). Speaking of Kennesaw, I need to go pick up a couple locos I left at the LHS there. Only took me close to 10 years of living here before I learned about "The General" and went and saw it. Cool little museum. Rob
***Red Horse, Excellent! May just have saved the future direction of several individuals.
***Rotor, Howdy neighbor...(in north GA here). Speaking of Kennesaw, I need to go pick up a couple locos I left at the LHS there. Only took me close to 10 years of living here before I learned about "The General" and went and saw it. Cool little museum.
Rob
Rob, "Hey" right back at ya!
I've only lived here 32 years, and I still haven't seen it! But it's on my "things to do" list!
There is so much stuff to do here that I'm still finding out about. And the more I learn, the less I've seen!
Rotor
Jake: How often does the train go by? Elwood: So often you won't even notice ...
Rotorranch wrote: And if every law abiding citizen was packing heat, less criminals would be tempted! Look at the drop in crime in Kennesaw GA, when a law was passed that citizens there were required to own a weapon! The crime rate went to almost zero!It's amazing what happens when criminals know that they aren't the only ones that have guns!Rotor
And if every law abiding citizen was packing heat, less criminals would be tempted! Look at the drop in crime in Kennesaw GA, when a law was passed that citizens there were required to own a weapon! The crime rate went to almost zero!
It's amazing what happens when criminals know that they aren't the only ones that have guns!
"An armed society is a polite society"-Robert A. Heinlein
Good for you, Red Horse. You took a chance, but you had the training and backup you needed. The world needs more like you. The sad part is that these young offenders don't receive the punishment they deserve. I don't know what the youth justice system is like in the U.S., but here in Canada it's a joke. It's a revolving door. I could tell you many stories of young offenders who laugh (some literally) at the justice system as they take the ride through its revolving doors to emerge on the streets again to commit more crimes, most much more serious than shoplifting. And that's just in the city where I live. But, those stories would be off-topic so they will have to go untold.
..... Bob
Beam me up, Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here. (Captain Kirk)
I reject your reality and substitute my own. (Adam Savage)
Resistance is not futile--it is voltage divided by current.
Dave Vollmer wrote: Red Horse,You continue to show the meaning of responsible citizenship; from your service to your community as an EMT (I hope I got that right) to this act of selflessness, we all could stand to learn from you. All Americans should feel the calling to service, whether through charity, community government, military service, or just by helping out a neighbor. I think it's no minor point that you, as a Native American, are such a giving citizen when you don't exactly owe our country anything from a historical standpoint...! You are a fine American and I would be proud to know you.Good on you!
Red Horse,
You continue to show the meaning of responsible citizenship; from your service to your community as an EMT (I hope I got that right) to this act of selflessness, we all could stand to learn from you. All Americans should feel the calling to service, whether through charity, community government, military service, or just by helping out a neighbor. I think it's no minor point that you, as a Native American, are such a giving citizen when you don't exactly owe our country anything from a historical standpoint...! You are a fine American and I would be proud to know you.
Good on you!
If we do not except some level of responsibility to our community than it is sending a clear message that people do not care about what is going on in their environment and this only lets the bad element think that our town is an easy target, I have a responsibility to my town, my neighbors and our business owners.
I was raised not to turn a blind eye to those things that bring down our communities safety, security or the right to live in a peaceful setting.
Our Native Elders teach us that we should not carry a grudge against the crimes of the past generations that may have contributed to the take over of our country, we are taught to continue to have pride in our communities to protect the people of our neighborhoods and to try our best to work with in the laws to help keep our homes, streets and towns safe from predatory people.
I'm honored to be part of this online community and I value the opportunity to get to know non Natives who have proven again and again that there is honor in all cultures and that I can share this hobby experience without feeling like there is an underlying agenda by anyone I've been in contact with here.
As citizens we should take a measure of responsibility towards our fellow men and women, our neighbors, I will not look away when an elder is being robbed of her purse, I will not look away when kids or animals are being abused, I will not close my eyes to the actions of those who come into my neighborhood to steal, damage or interrupt the lives of those who are only trying to do their best to make a nice life.
Bad people don't like to operate out in the light of watching eyes, bad people will find another weaker target when confronted with alert and aware neighbors, unfortunately sometimes the only thing we can do is make them uncomfortable and they end up in some one else's area, we can't save the world but we can stand united for what we believe in.
All the Native people I've grown up with don't think twice about making a difference, today so many have the "I'll take care of my own" attitude that if we don't react on behalf of others than no one else will, sure I think about my safety sometimes but I'm lucky, I've had some good military training as an MP so that training will guide me in how I respond to an incident, if I think my actions will put another at risk I will wait until it is safe to alert the right authorities, The last thing I want to happen is for someone else to get harmed because I recklessly tried to be a "hero", My Mom didn't raise a hero or a fool.
I'd like to think most people still care about those around them, I find this to be true in smaller towns than in big cities, some think it is safe to keep their head in the sand but by doing so they only make it easier for bad people to take over.
I would never expect people to place themselves in harms way, it is up too the individual, what skills they have to deal with predatory people but in the least, get a good description of them and any autos they may be in and when safe to do so Call the police, in an age with some many cell phones it is easier than ever to make a difference.
And Sir, I'm very honored to know you and the others here who care enough to make a difference.
Jess Red Horse.
HarryHotspur wrote: Mailman56701 wrote: HarryHotspur wrote: Mailman56701 wrote: Nice work ! Hopefully, the usual two scenarios in such cases won't occur in yours:- criminal gets a slap on the wrist and is out the door.- criminal finds out who it was who held him for the police, and decides to pay them a visit. My money is on number1, and that he already has a record to boot :) I've prosecuted hundreds of similar cases, and not once has the defendant even threatened revenge on the person making the arrest. The consequences of such would be devastating compared to the penalty for shoplifting. A "slap on the wrist" is likely IF (1) it's a first offense and (2) you consider a fine and probably probation and certainly a criminal record a slap. Personally, I think it's appropriate. Giving someone hard time for a first offense $80 shoplifting would be pretty harsh.Mostly I'm proud of Red Horse. If more people had his courage, we'd have far less crime. I was a cop for nine years (many years ago) and taking revenge isn't unheard of. And the last thing they'd do is publicly threaten it <g>. As to comparing it to a penalty for a lesser crime, no one said perps are smart. Violence occurs on a daily basis for much less. As to "slap on the wrist", I personally had cases (mostly dui) with lessened senteces and/or completely dismissed for such reasons as the judge liked the perp's personality, etc. (usually, a woman perp...). I remember once that the judge dismissed a case because the perp co-operated at the time of arrest by not fighting us, lol. Fwiw.In 35 years of practicing law, I have only heard of one case of revenge and that was against me, the prosecuting attorney, and was obviously only intended to scare me. I know it happens, but it is extremely rare, except in domestic situations.As for lessened sentences, I'n not sure exactly what you mean. The sentence is in the discretion of the judge, within the range proscribed by statute. Granted, judges don't always give the maximum sentence nor should they. But of course a sentence should never be based on improper reasons. In your jurisdiction, are judges elected by popular vote? If so, ironically they tend to be the worse judges.In my jurisdiction, a judge has no authority to dismiss a case, so I haven't had to deal with that problem.
Mailman56701 wrote: HarryHotspur wrote: Mailman56701 wrote: Nice work ! Hopefully, the usual two scenarios in such cases won't occur in yours:- criminal gets a slap on the wrist and is out the door.- criminal finds out who it was who held him for the police, and decides to pay them a visit. My money is on number1, and that he already has a record to boot :) I've prosecuted hundreds of similar cases, and not once has the defendant even threatened revenge on the person making the arrest. The consequences of such would be devastating compared to the penalty for shoplifting. A "slap on the wrist" is likely IF (1) it's a first offense and (2) you consider a fine and probably probation and certainly a criminal record a slap. Personally, I think it's appropriate. Giving someone hard time for a first offense $80 shoplifting would be pretty harsh.Mostly I'm proud of Red Horse. If more people had his courage, we'd have far less crime. I was a cop for nine years (many years ago) and taking revenge isn't unheard of. And the last thing they'd do is publicly threaten it <g>. As to comparing it to a penalty for a lesser crime, no one said perps are smart. Violence occurs on a daily basis for much less. As to "slap on the wrist", I personally had cases (mostly dui) with lessened senteces and/or completely dismissed for such reasons as the judge liked the perp's personality, etc. (usually, a woman perp...). I remember once that the judge dismissed a case because the perp co-operated at the time of arrest by not fighting us, lol. Fwiw.
HarryHotspur wrote: Mailman56701 wrote: Nice work ! Hopefully, the usual two scenarios in such cases won't occur in yours:- criminal gets a slap on the wrist and is out the door.- criminal finds out who it was who held him for the police, and decides to pay them a visit. My money is on number1, and that he already has a record to boot :) I've prosecuted hundreds of similar cases, and not once has the defendant even threatened revenge on the person making the arrest. The consequences of such would be devastating compared to the penalty for shoplifting. A "slap on the wrist" is likely IF (1) it's a first offense and (2) you consider a fine and probably probation and certainly a criminal record a slap. Personally, I think it's appropriate. Giving someone hard time for a first offense $80 shoplifting would be pretty harsh.Mostly I'm proud of Red Horse. If more people had his courage, we'd have far less crime.
Mailman56701 wrote: Nice work ! Hopefully, the usual two scenarios in such cases won't occur in yours:- criminal gets a slap on the wrist and is out the door.- criminal finds out who it was who held him for the police, and decides to pay them a visit. My money is on number1, and that he already has a record to boot :)
Nice work !
Hopefully, the usual two scenarios in such cases won't occur in yours:
- criminal gets a slap on the wrist and is out the door.
- criminal finds out who it was who held him for the police, and decides to pay them a visit.
My money is on number1, and that he already has a record to boot :)
I've prosecuted hundreds of similar cases, and not once has the defendant even threatened revenge on the person making the arrest. The consequences of such would be devastating compared to the penalty for shoplifting.
A "slap on the wrist" is likely IF (1) it's a first offense and (2) you consider a fine and probably probation and certainly a criminal record a slap. Personally, I think it's appropriate. Giving someone hard time for a first offense $80 shoplifting would be pretty harsh.
Mostly I'm proud of Red Horse. If more people had his courage, we'd have far less crime.
I was a cop for nine years (many years ago) and taking revenge isn't unheard of. And the last thing they'd do is publicly threaten it <g>.
As to comparing it to a penalty for a lesser crime, no one said perps are smart. Violence occurs on a daily basis for much less.
As to "slap on the wrist", I personally had cases (mostly dui) with lessened senteces and/or completely dismissed for such reasons as the judge liked the perp's personality, etc. (usually, a woman perp...). I remember once that the judge dismissed a case because the perp co-operated at the time of arrest by not fighting us, lol.
Fwiw.
In 35 years of practicing law, I have only heard of one case of revenge and that was against me, the prosecuting attorney, and was obviously only intended to scare me. I know it happens, but it is extremely rare, except in domestic situations.
As for lessened sentences, I'n not sure exactly what you mean. The sentence is in the discretion of the judge, within the range proscribed by statute. Granted, judges don't always give the maximum sentence nor should they. But of course a sentence should never be based on improper reasons. In your jurisdiction, are judges elected by popular vote? If so, ironically they tend to be the worse judges.
In my jurisdiction, a judge has no authority to dismiss a case, so I haven't had to deal with that problem.
This was a judge of the Federal Court System. If you'd like personal info. about him, feel free to pm me.
Fortunatly, he retired several years ago.
Rotorranch wrote: HarryHotspur wrote: Mailman56701 wrote: Nice work ! Hopefully, the usual two scenarios in such cases won't occur in yours:- criminal gets a slap on the wrist and is out the door.- criminal finds out who it was who held him for the police, and decides to pay them a visit. My money is on number1, and that he already has a record to boot :) I've prosecuted hundreds of similar cases, and not once has the defendant even threatened revenge on the person making the arrest. The consequences of such would be devastating compared to the penalty for shoplifting. A "slap on the wrist" is likely IF (1) it's a first offense and (2) you consider a fine and probably probation and certainly a criminal record a slap. Personally, I think it's appropriate. Giving someone hard time for a first offense $80 shoplifting would be pretty harsh.Mostly I'm proud of Red Horse. If more people had his courage, we'd have far less crime. And if every law abiding citizen was packing heat, less criminals would be tempted! Look at the drop in crime in Kennesaw GA, when a law was passed that citizens there were required to own a weapon! The crime rate went to almost zero!It's amazing what happens when criminals know that they aren't the only ones that have guns!Rotor
Oh man that law's problay got some left wingers foaming Neato!
- Harry
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
Jess--
GREAT story! I'm really proud of you, and hopefully this kid will find out through the court system that what he thought might be 'kinda fun to do' actually ISN'T.
Made me think of something that happened with a couple of my very favorite students last year in high school. We were in my office talking about letters of recommendation to colleges, and while I was interviewing them (and I really LOVE these two guys, they were just incredible students and a lot of fun!) I happened to ask them if they'd contacted their part-time employer about a letter, also. They grinned and said yes, they had, and that part of it was taken care of. Curious, I asked them what their part-time employ consisted of.
"Stealing," one of the chuckled.
After I picked myself up off the floor, they told me. They worked for one of the young men's uncles at a Cineplex. Their job was to see if they could shoplift from the concession stand without getting caught--the theater was losing money in the concession stand, and the uncle, who owned the Cineplex, figured that if he could get two clean-cut Catholic boys to come in and try and shoplift candy and popcorn, he could also find out which employees were just letting it happen without reporting it. The more they told me about it, the harder I laughed, so I phoned the uncle at the Cineplex and he affirmed it. Whatever these two kids had done had helped drop the losses from the concession stand about 60% because it had made the employees MUCH more aware of what was going on. In fact, every Saturday night, when my two students went to the movie, the employees at the concession stand were so much on the ball, that NOBODY got away with anything. Which is exactly what these two hoped for.
One of the students is going to Boston College this year, the other is going to Cambridge. What scares me is that they'll be within about 40 miles of each other--God only knows what they're plotting--World Domination, probably, LOL!
Whatever it is, I'm sure going to miss those two guys next year!
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
Rotor -
Thanks for the info. That gun law is fascinating. And thanks for the Museum info. I get to Atlanta once every couple of years or so, so I'll check it out.
The museum on Kennesaw absolutely blew me away and I have only a moderate interest in Civil War history. Frankly, I only went there to see the loco, but the entire museum is terrific. I have no idea how a small town was able to build it. I planned to stay 45 minutes and stayed about 3 hours. I would have stayed longer if I could.
The majority of items stolen(by count not value)in the companies which I worked for, were stolen by 13year old kids, give or take a year. The thieves that go for more expensive items tended to be adults. Not surprisingly at all, the vast majority of kids that smoke began at the same age.
Little funny...on my first day as manager trainee at the shaft, Sean(the part timer) and I were putting out stock. A kid(about 14-15) comes in and Sean whispers to me that everytime this kid is in, blank audio tapes go missing. So instead of confronting the kid, I go and put out battries which were on the otherside of the gondola from the tapes. "You don't have to watch me." the kid says. I nearly burst out laughing. "I'm putting out batteries, need any? Besides, after hearing you say that, maybe I should be watching you. Watching you very carefully." I never accused him(without proof they start whining and try to sue)of anything. The next six months we didn't lose anything to shoplifting kids. In all those years in sales, I only had to swear out an official statement for the Police once. Most malls and dept stores had a no under 16 without parent policy back then. Then the lawyers got all over them and just threw the doors open for ametuer boosters.
When I go shopping alone(which is pretty rare these days)I always look like I must work there. I always stand when riding the subway(even more rare since I'm 150 miles from NYC these days). I've always done what I could to prevent the activity of the bad guys rather than catching them afterwards. I'll leave the arrests and convictions to those trained for it. It's like a train dispatcher on your model railroad. you need to know where everyone is and what they're doing and they need to know that you're on the job. Still, even with all the customer service and security precautions, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to pilfer a few dollars worth of stuff from most retail stores. I've never seen anyone stealing in my LHS, but then again, I'm usually there when they aren't very busy.
KUDOS to all the honest people looking out for our LHS owners without whom our hobby would become quite a bit unpleasant.
HarryHotspur wrote: Required to own a weapon? A gun? Good grief. I know many law abiding people who would be more likely to shoot themselves or the postman if they owned a gun. How is it enforced? I presume they aren't required to carry the gun with them at all times. Sounds a bit over reaching to me, but the results were great so perhaps it's a good idea.Do you live near Kennesaw? Great Civil War museum there, with the original General 4-4-0.
Required to own a weapon? A gun? Good grief. I know many law abiding people who would be more likely to shoot themselves or the postman if they owned a gun. How is it enforced? I presume they aren't required to carry the gun with them at all times. Sounds a bit over reaching to me, but the results were great so perhaps it's a good idea.
Do you live near Kennesaw? Great Civil War museum there, with the original General 4-4-0.
Harry, I live on the southside of metro ATL. I've been by the museum, but not in it yet. I will go one day! There's also the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth. I've been there, and got a cab ride with The Kid in a 44 tonner. If you get a chance, I recommend it.
Here's the link: http://www.srmduluth.org/default.shtml
Here's a link to the law requiring a gun in Kennesaw: http://www.rense.com/general9/gunlaw.htm