Shoplifting is becoming a scourge for many local businesses. Official complaints are on the rise, and business owners and employees are taking to social media to make their concerns known as well. While businesses and retail outlets are the obvious victims of shoplifting, more indirectly, the damage affects consumers as well. The cost of this crime is passed onto the consumer with rising prices.

Employees, too, are burdened by the crime, having more responsibility placed on their shoulders, with many feeling concerns for the personal safety. Shoplifting is a lose-lose situation for everyone.

According to a City of Hobbs press release (PDF), dated Thursday, December 9, both the City of Hobbs’ City Attorney’s Office and the Hobbs Police Department (HPD) take shoplifting very seriously. Together they are dedicating personnel and resources “to ensure that all reported shoplifting crimes are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.” 

In accordance with the Hobbs Municipal Code 9.24.100(B), shoplifting in Hobbs is considered a misdemeanor “with penalties up to a $500 fine and 90 days in jail per occurrence,” states the press release.

Remember that anyone charged with a crime “is considered innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.”

Hobbs City Attorney Efren Cortez summarizes what shoplifting really means to the Hobbs community. He states, “The common misconception regarding shoplifting crimes is that there is no ‘victim’ for the crime. In truth, shoplifting crimes victimize the business owners through lost profits and the consumer through increased prices. During a time when our businesses are experiencing a supply slowdown nationwide, shoplifting crimes only serve to compound the problem for the business and the consumer alike. We [the City Attorney and the HPD] will ensure that we honor the rights of the victims, as well as the accused, through this endeavor. Our office [the Hobbs City Attorney’s office] is honored to be able to provide some assistance to the community through successful prosecutions – and subsequent deterrence – of shoplifting crimes.”

According to Hobbs Chief of Police John Ortolano, property crime in New Mexico is very high when compared to other states. “The Hobbs Police Department takes shoplifting very seriously, because these types of property crimes can lead to other more serious offenses. I urge the public to assist us during these investigations by being a cooperating witness if they observed the offense taking place.”

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, shoplifting increased particularly as people were concerned about the availability of much-needed supplies. However, as businesses struggled with COVID restrictions and some lockdowns around the country, even the normally acceptable or expected amount of shoplifting took a hefty toll.

According to a report by KRQE, a local Hobbs business is allowing its employees to carry firearms at the workplace to deter shoplifting and protect themselves from potential crime. However, many experts say this can make a bad situation worse as it could easily lead to a shootout that could seriously injure or even kill the participants or bystanders.

Most people would agree that potential loss of life is not worth the slight monetary loss involved in shoplifting. Apprehending a shoplifter afterward is a far safer approach, even if it does risk the shoplifter getting away. Most retail employees, and even customers who might happen to be carrying a firearm with them, lack effective training for dealing with such a situation and even when law enforcement professionals engage in a firefight, it is dangerous for everyone.

That does not mean the general public is powerless against shoplifting, however. If you as a customer see someone shoplifting, speak up. “It is often the information from a witness that leads detectives to identifying the suspect and bringing them to prosecution,” states the press release from the City of Hobbs.

Businesses are also asked to come forward with any and all concerns.

The plea is for everyone to work together “to support the local business community and protect the health, safety, and property of all residents.” The goal of the City of Hobbs is to better educate the public and to increase awareness about the seriousness and long-term effects of the crime of shoplifting.