Saw a story yesterday about a Lowes employee who tried to stop a shoplifter, got beat up for her loyalty to the company she's worked for for the last 13 years, and then Lowes fired her for breaking company policy.

Saw a story last week about any employee who just filmed shoplifters in the parking lot. Only contact was to grab the tin foil off the fleeing car which caught the plate on camera and enabled the police to get them. And he - a USMC vet - was fired for breaking policy.

These stories are getting more and more common. And then the nitwit companies wonder why shoplifting has reached epidemic proportions.

Several things need to change. Stores need to press charges on EVERYONE who steals, no exceptions. Doesn't matter the amount.
Prosecutors need to prosecute thieves, no exceptions. Judges need to start applying the maximum penalty. Legislators need to change laws to really hammer theft.
And while they are at it, change the liability laws so employers won't get sued silly by thieves or by employees who decide to step in.
We, as a society, are descending into pure lawlessness. It has to stop. And the only way it will is to restore the concept that thievery will never be tolerated, and the punishment is much harsher than any reward.
PS - I'm considering boycotting Lowes over this. Companies need to show a little background. I don't want to pay higher prices to account for the scum who steal from them, and I don't want stores to become unsafe everywhere. Companies are starting to pay the price for abject stupidity. Hopefully this changes things.