Something different in supermarket security

[DWalt]

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?

 

[joeintexas]

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. HEB is actually the cheapest I think.

 

[Twiki357]

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.

 

[kwselke]

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.

 

[bigwheelzip]

The Publix here has the bagger push your cart to your car and load your trunk. For convenience, since parking lot crime isn't a problem here yet, but maybe a busy lot is less tempting as well.

 

[brigeton]

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.

 

[CajunBass]

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.

 

[old bear]

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.

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.

 

[Steve912]

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.

It's definitely an effective deterrent for some shoplifters.

 

[BAM-BAM]

The local Giant Eagle has had a Security Guard at the front doors for the past few months...............no gun, no mace, no nothing....

 

[Kanewpadle]

Some department stores around here have actual police officers.

 

[the ringo kid]

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.

They are, especially the gang-infested west side.

 

[italiansport]

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

 

[gdnagle]

Just don't try to steal diapers in Florida.

 

[Grip_Maker's_Wife]

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.

 

[arjay]

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

 

[Stevens]

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

 

[armadillo]

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.

 

[Cyrano]

We don't have HEB, but I haven't seen anything like this at WalMart or Target.

 

[billwill]

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.

Trader Joe's does not want to be labeled as mean spirited.

 

[AKtinman]

Sorry to hear conditions warrant such measures in good ole S.A.

When I drove down to visit my late mom, our first stop was La Fonda’s on Main Avenue, followed by a visit to “Gucci-B” (H-E-B) on Broadway in Alamo Heights, so mom could buy the “real” (Dublin) Dr Pepper.



I live in a rural area and, other than monthly Costco runs, don’t buy groceries in the cities so can’t comment on grocery store security measures there. MN has been open carry for some time, and I almost never see anyone carrying openly. The last time I remember seeing a guy OC was in a Costco, and he had an older S&W 45 auto (not 1911) tucked into his back jeans pocket. He made no attempt to conceal it under his jacket. He seemed oblivious to his surroundings, and it would have been easy for someone to walk up behind him and snatch it. I observed him for some time from a distance, but nobody else seemed to notice.

 

[JohnSW]

Here, it would be more appropriate for a supermarkets to have a friendly Greeting Dog as you enter the store.

(Unfortunately, they don't do that.)

 

[dougb1946]

They are not guards. They are monitors.(You thought the ad was humor, right?)

My son was an AM at a Home Depot near a bus stop and next to a pawn shop. Son nailed a guy in a coverall stuffing electrical items. Tackled him in the parking lot. Parts kept falling out of the clothing. In some cases, parts stolen at one store were taken to the next on the bus line for a refund. They could track thieves coming out from the city downtown area with their computer system., and they could find their missing inventory at the pawn shop or the next store on the bus route.

 

[the ringo kid]

Not officially. But Austin is.

The Sheriff of Travis County, is fixin to get some hurt-because of her stupid stance about enforcing (or in her case: NOT enforcing the law) the law.

 

[the ringo kid]

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.

On Walmart and checking yer new bought stuff.

The one I go to most often-does still randomly check folks leaving. Sometimes they check everyone for a few minutes-then just wave them through.

I tried demonstrating (with the Managers approval-who also wasn't aware of what I was going to test him on) at how easy it is to steal them blind right under their noses. The manager I THINK?? is going to make some changes.

A person can carry in one of those shopping bags you can buy for around $3 or so? go shopping-go to supervised self-check out-and STILL steal items. On the approved example I got permission to so-I grabbed $60 worth of dvds-went to get some groceries-went to pay-with employee right next to me watching most of the time--and STILL managed to get those dvds through them, the door person asking for receipt-and actually sorta looking through my bag. I walked through the doors-no alarm sounded-walked through the other set of doors-and promptly gave those dvds to the manager by the door. He was very shocked the alarm never buzzed-especially on something that had that sticky anti-theft piece of useless junk-affixed to the outside of dvd box. The door person didn't get in trouble for this--which is good as long as they are aware of what can and does-happen right under their noses. Every-time I shop-it bothers me not-to show my receipt-and let them look into my shopping bags. Ive only heard one person complain-saying that he was targeted for check-because he was caucasion-and the door-greeter-wasn't. This guy happened to be a transient who dressed sloppily, had a well-used and abuse back-pack--and made a mountain out of a flat piece of land. I was drinking tea at mcds and watched the whole scene.

Because of the above--they are (at least for now) checking a higher percentage of folks leaving the store-which still isn't deterring all thieves or potential thieves. Recent case in point--someone(s) went through self-check-out--had about $60 worth of items--never paid and left the store.

 

[the ringo kid]

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

They get insurance but STILL pass off all losses on the customers. Its a win-win for them.

 

[the ringo kid]

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.

Legally armed (and well trained) citizens-is also a great addition-though some will not agree.

 

[Harrison]

Not officially. But Austin is.

You know the motto of Austin: "Keep Austin Weird". The city is just trying to live up to it's motto,

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...due to Colorado's new homeless doper problem...the local Walmart has really ramped up security...to the point that my wife says she's done shopping there...I can't even imagine how much we have spent there in the last 25 or so years...

 

[kaaskop49]

Parking lots and garages are prime locations for robberies and assaults. The elderly are often singled out, both for scams ("You damaged my car...") and assaults. Here in the West, seems there are more lots than cars, too much area to secure. Awareness and caution are primary. Learned both years ago.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

P.S. It's great having a gal who doesn't mind her fella having a CCW.