Something different in supermarket security

DWalt

DWalt

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Those of you in Texas will know what the H-E-B supermarket chain is, probably the largest in Texas (and also Mexico). Anyway, they just started a new program of having an armed security guard with dog patrolling their parking lots at seven larger stores in the San Antonio area. I think there is a similar program in some Houston H-E-B stores. Security is performed by some outfit called S.E.A.L. Security. I saw one guard and his dog (appears to be an Alsatian) at the local H-E-B store this afternoon.The guards are said to be former cops. This is being billed as a test of the program and may not be permanent. Anyone know of anything similar being done elsewhere in the country?
 
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I haven't noticed them doing that here in Abilene. Most of the crime committed at most grocery stores here seems to be a the checkout anyway.:rolleyes: HEB is actually the cheapest I think.
 
I didn’t know things were that bad in San Antonio. At least they aren’t making you stand in line to leave the store like Costco does, or do they.
 
The HEB's I frequent sometimes have uniformed security guards patrolling the parking lots on Segway type two wheelers. I do not always see them. I think it's a time of day, day of the week, area of town thing. There is probably security of some sort there all of the time, that most of us carefree customers are unaware of. I personally have not seen any K-9 private security at any retailer I've been to in Houston.
 
Some of the bigger stores in Michigan have had kidnappings in their parking lots. Our local store has kids take your groceries out to your car as well.
 
I worked as armed security at one of the first all night grocery stores in Richmond, oh, probably 40 years ago. No dogs, but we did have off duty police officers in plain clothes who walked the store. We (uniform) mostly watched the security camera's and showed the flag at the front door.

Should have been pretty uneventful duty, but two guys came in to rob the place one evening, spotted the uniform, panicked and shot him dead at the front door, then ran off into the dark. Police caught up with them after a short hunt. They might still be in jail.
 
Twiki357 said:
I didn’t know things were that bad in San Antonio. At least they aren’t making you stand in line to leave the store like Costco does, or do they.
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I will not shop at any store that believes that humiliating its’ customer base is a proper business model.

Years ago, when leaving my first shopping trip, at Best Buy they demanded to see my receipt. I have not been in a Best Buy store since.
 
COSTCO is anti-gun and just about every policy they have is an irritant like lining up to check receipts. If my wife would go along with it I'd have given up membership years ago.
Jim
 
At Costco you have to show your receipt when you leave and they check your items. Walmart used to occasionally ask but they stopped doing that a few years ago. Showing a receipt does not bother me if it helps deter thieves.

I was surprised when I was staying in the bay area a few months ago that the local Safeway had a guard. The clerk told me every week some guy comes in with a garbage bag and he grabs a bunch of meat and whatever else he can grab and runs. Even with the guard there, they are not allowed to chase or try to stop the person. Why are they paying for a guard?

My husband occasionally did events at Home Depot and he said it was a frequent occurrence that thieves would load up a cart, often with copper pipes or other expensive items, and run out through the exit. Again, the employees were not allowed to try to stop them or block them.

Recently I was at Trader Joes checking out when they had trouble verifying a hundred dollar bill. They took it and the person left with their groceries. I told the clerk about a time at a different Trader Joes when someone had tried to use a counterfeit bill. They give the fake money back to the person and said they couldn't take it and the person paid with something else. The new clerk told me that their policy now is to give the fake money back and let the person leave with their groceries unpaid! I asked the clerk if I could come in with monopoly money and play that same game! :) Just kidding of course. That also really surprised me because I always thought counterfeit money was a serious federal crime. I would think they would at least take the bill, not give it back.
 
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My son worked at a Walmart for awhile and a van pulled up,took off with a set of tires.Im guessing their insurance is concerned about liability and it's just cheaper to take the losses
 
A few years ago when I was travelling in Central America often on business they told me of a new "fad" amongst gangs. "Express Kidnappings"
They hang out around a shopping area and when they spot a well off looking woman in the parking lot they grab her in a van or car. They get her to phone the family they demand 500-700 dollars or less and arrange pickup at some secure place. The family members, who can afford it, pay the relatively small amount fast to get it over with without damage to their mother, wife or daughter.
So maybe having a security guard or LEO presence out there is a good idea.
Sad times!
Steve W
 
They are doing it in Houston and San Antonio, I don't know of any others.

A year or so ago a woman was robbed and had her throat cut in the parking lot of an Austin HEB. Maybe they are just now reacting.

I don't have a problem with a business taking precautions to protect their customers. The dog is a great addition.
 
Grip_Maker's_Wife said:
At Costco you have to show your receipt when you leave and they check your items. Walmart used to occasionally ask but they stopped doing that a few years ago. Showing a receipt does not bother me if it helps deter thieves.

I was surprised when I was staying in the bay area a few months ago that the local Safeway had a guard. The clerk told me every week some guy comes in with a garbage bag and he grabs a bunch of meat and whatever else he can grab and runs. Even with the guard there, they are not allowed to chase or try to stop the person. Why are they paying for a guard?

My husband occasionally did events at Home Depot and he said it was a frequent occurrence that thieves would load up a cart, often with copper pipes or other expensive items, and run out through the exit. Again, the employees were not allowed to try to stop them or block them.

Recently I was at Trader Joes checking out when they had trouble verifying a hundred dollar bill. They took it and the person left with their groceries. I told the clerk about a time at a different Trader Joes when someone had tried to use a counterfeit bill. They give the fake money back to the person and said they couldn't take it and the person paid with something else. The new clerk told me that their policy now is to give the fake money back and let the person leave with their groceries unpaid! I asked the clerk if I could come in with monopoly money and play that same game! :) Just kidding of course. That also really surprised me because I always thought counterfeit money was a serious federal crime. I would think they would at least take the bill, not give it back.
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Trader Joe's does not want to be labeled as mean spirited.
 
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