With December upon us, the Kamloops RCMP Crime Prevention Unit recently kicked off a new initiative to help spread holiday theft reduction best practices.

On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, the Crime Prevention team launched the holiday edition of its Business Watch program, which features tip cards and education on reducing retail theft during the Christmas shopping season. To get the initiative started, the team focused its efforts on the 1100-block of Columbia Street to hand out tip cards and discuss store layout suggestions, strong customer service techniques, and training for staff on how to help keep unpaid merchandise from leaving the store.

“We just want to remind retail merchants of some simple ways to practise good crime prevention techniques during the busy shopping season, as well as to wish them a safe and happy holiday season,” said Rajan Dhillon of the City of Kamloops RCMP Crime Prevention Unit.

Below are some tips to help reduce shoplifting:

• When the store is crowded, encourage employees to circulate and offer help.
• If you suspect a shoplifter, pay a lot of attention to that individual. A customer will be flattered; a thief is likely to leave.
• Avoid counters that obstruct any sight lines in the store. Present merchandise in such a way that customers can easily be seen while shopping, and avoid narrow, cluttered aisles.
• Keep valuable merchandise away from store exits. Valuables should be kept in locked display cabinets or behind counters.
• Arrange unprotected valuables neatly so that any missing item will be noticed quickly.
• If the merchandise you are selling comes in pairs, only display one of the two in the set.

For more information and tips, please visit Crime Prevention Tips | City of Kamloops, or contact the North Shore Community Policing Office at 250-376-5099.