I am a Wal-Mart APA
(Asset Protection Associate.) I am one of thous guys that follow and
watch shoplifters. If you look or dress shady, then you know who I
am. I am the person who stops shoplifter, but Wal-Mart's current
policies gets in my way of doing that. The policy is called AP-09,
and with a quick Google search, you can probably find a current copy
of it. They are rules and regulation for us “Floor Walkers.” The
current AP-09 draft for Wal-Mart is a thieves paradise, and it make
my job almost impossible. That is why I am giving up all the industry
secrets to you, the reader. I'm not trying to entice you to go out
and steal, my only hope for this is that it will make the higher
ups wise up and change the policy back to the old rough and tough
policies; The ones that actually stop shoplifter. In California now,
the policy is “hands off”, we can't run after shoplifters, and
the only physical contact we can have is a light touch on the
shoulder. What the fuck is that? Once again, I'm not trying to
turn you into a shoplifter, I just want to show how easy it is to
steal at Wal-Mart.
The basics
Elements
Every APA in
Wal-Mart has to follow these 4 elements to be able to stop a person.
1- Selection
The AP has to see
the person select the product off the shelf.
2-concealment or
possession
The AP has to see
clearly, and with an unobstructed view, that the suspect concealed
the items into a purse , bag, or on their person. * if they did not
conceal the item, they have to see that the suspect hasit with them
at all times.
3- constant
possession
The AP has to watch
them have constant possession of the item without breaking eye
contact for more than three seconds. This is to make sure that the
suspect did not leave the item behind.
4- passing last
point of sale.
The AP can only stop
the suspect, when the suspect has passed the last possible point
where they can pay for the item. *The laws of theft are different in
every state, But in California it is not considered theft until they
walk out the store. In regular CA Store like super centers, that
means between the double doors. In regular Wal-Marts, there are two
door sets people walk through. Basically you can be stooped between
them.
What makes it
easy to shoplift at Wal-Mart
- Walking into the bathroom.
Say you already
concealed an item. Like a pack of pins. If you already put it in your
purse or pocket, all you have to do is walk into the bathroom for a
few minutes. This will reset all 4 elements, and the AP has to
reestablish them, with another product. Wal-Mart does this because
the AP doesn’t know if you left the item behind in the bathroom.
Say if you did, and the AP stooped you and you don't have anything on
you, that is very bad for everyone. The company, the AP, a lot of
people can get in trouble for a bad stop. Its reasonable to have this
rule, but a lot of people get away with stealing like this.
- Ten foot rule
Like regular
associate from Wal-Mart, APA's also has a Ten foot rule. Its not
asking a customer if he/she need help; Its the distance from the exit
of the store that the APA can stop you. Like I said earlier, APAs can
chance a suspect into the parking lot, so Wal-Mart implanted a rule
where there is only a ten foot barrier where you can apprehend
someone from the exit. You can imagine how frustrating this is. Ten
fucking feet, its insane.
- Witness
When an AP stops
someone, they have to do it with a witness. This is to protect the AP
from getting in trouble with the suspects lies. If a suspect says
that the AP was saying racist things like, “Get in side you fucking
Spic” There is no witness there to say other wise. This is another
reason why it suck working as an APA in Wal-Mart. Some store have a
lot of witness available, but in my small store, its almost
impossible to set up a witness the last minute. This means that I
have to watch the thief walk away with all our shit. So, if you are
stopped by an AP and they are alone, just point out that they don't
have a witness. They will most likely run off like a bitch.
- Run away/Walk away
Since we can't
chance thieves, if you steal and you get stopped for it, just fucking
run or walk away. We can't do shit about it. This month I mad 18
stops, with all my elements in place, but they all ran from me. So I
have shit cases this month.
- Age requirements
If your under the
age of 16, or over the age off 65, the AP is suppose to deter you
from stealing. But if you do steal, say your 14 and you try to steal
a TV, Wal-Mart can't prosecute you with the cops. Basically if you
are caught stealing, and you are brought back to be processed, they
will get your info down and let you go
*underage, if you
are under 16, we can't let you go alone. The AP has to call your
parent or guardian to pick you up. If your parent can not be
contacted the police has to come and pick you up So beware of that.
So now you know how
easy it is to steal from Wal-Mart.
walk into the
bathroom.
Run/or walkaway
and if your under 16
or over 65, just steal
For the last
time, this is not an instructional piece to get you to steal, its
just an observation of how stupid Wal-Mart is. Take care.
