Dallas Police No Longer Responding to Thefts under $50

[apples and oranges]

DALLAS - Starting today, Dallas Police officers will not respond to shoplifting calls involving merchandise valued at less than $50.

Under the new policy, if store security catches a suspected shoplifter, the store owner must verify a thief's identification, fill out a form and mail it to the police department. Security must then release the suspect.

"The ultimate goal of this policy is to lower crime stats, not to protect and serve the citizens and businesses of Dallas, and that's wrong," said Ron Pinkston, president of the Dallas Police Department's largest union.

Pinkston said business owners will be frustrated with the new procedure.

Read more on myFOXdfw.com: http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/Dallas-Police-No-Longer-Responding-to-Thefts-under-50-Dollars-010512

Now, if they'd only stop responding to marijuana calls!

[justiceischeap]

1. So if I go to Dallas, I basically have a pass to shoplift items

under $50 at several different stores in the same day and if I get caught, I'm probably okay.

[apples and oranges]

2. I'm surprised that they announced the change to the media

Seems like it should have been kept secret.

[justiceischeap]

5. I think the admin in the police dept. probably expected to keep it secret

it was the police union that told the press because it's not going to be the administration that takes the flack for this but the street level officers themselves.

[Angry Dragon]

4. Then open your own kiosk in the mall

to sell the stolen merchandise
love that free enterprise
capitalism system at work

[jberryhill]

11. But you'll have to price everything at $50.01

[iscooterliberally]

3. That's what I was going to say.

I'm sure that their Drug Task Force or whatever the hell they call it there is in full swing. Violent crimes and crimes of theft should be at the top of their priority, even for small crimes. I'm sure they won't want to give up their SWAT teams for weed busts and all their fancy military gear though.

[maggiesfarmer]

6. sign of the pending end to America's socialized police and security forces

the next step will be to get rid of all public police forces and security, requiring citizens to self fund their own security needs through private firms

[justabob]

7. yay

I am sure that Mr. Pinkston is right about lowering crime stats vs actual policing. Dallas has changed the classification and accounting of a lot of crimes, large and small. Not surprisingly, crime rates have fallen, and Dallas is a much safer place to live and do business.

[justiceischeap]

8. What really sucks about cop shops cooking their books

is for people looking to move to new areas. If I can't trust the crime stats, then I'm not gonna move there. That hurts the economy as well as the folks that live there.

[justabob]

12. yes, it is true

The police is stretched in any case with the drug war, as others have noted. It is all very frustrating. I live in a nice part of town, but it is a high crime area, a 'hot spot' (even with the cooked books) and even when the police come, there is nothing they can(or will) do. My flat was broken into a couple of years ago, and it took forever for cops to come, and when they did, they pretty much told me, "too bad for you". They just don't have the time or manpower to do it. I know others who have had the same, or worse, experience.

[baldguy]

9. A private citizen has no right to demand my identification.

If there is probable suspicion, they can hold me until police can assume custody. But store employees certainly can't do that indefinitely, and whether I'm a thief or not should up to a judge & jury.

[SixthSense]

13. You caught me

My name is George W. Bush, I live in Crawford TX. Please prosecute me.

[Zalatix]

15. Holding someone until the cops come? Yeah that's going to mean trouble.

[baldguy]

16. How do you think security at shopping malls & retail stores works?

[Javaman]

9. Make sure you start carrying $51 bucks in your pocket. nt

[Zalatix]

14. Ouch... just... ouch.