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I've written here before about my friend who works at the local Coop grocery store.
He's been working there for over 25 years now, started as a box boy when he was still in high school and never left.
He's the gofer.
Stocks shelves, carries Mrs. Smith's groceries to her car, "Clean up in aisle 3" and he's the guy who shows up with the mop.
Some years ago they sent him on a course for how to detect and apprehend shoplifters so he's the "Coop Cop".
Over time they've improved his methods. They have installed a comprehensive video surveillance system in the store that's good enough to read the ingredients label on a soup can still on the shelf. This has made his life a lot easier since he's the only Coop employee that's allowed to carry his cell phone when he's on the floor and he can use an app to view and switch between the cameras and do instant replays. Now the evidence is on video and he doesn't have to try to lurk around the corner to see what's going on. They used to call a "Code Ten" on the PA system when they wanted him at the front to handle a "situation" but now the cashiers have a button that will make his phone beep so nobody else hears the call.
He's told me that over time security has become a bigger and bigger part of his job. And it isn't just a guy stealing a steak.
Last week two guys came in to buy Visa prepaid gift cards. $2500 in Visa gift cards. The cashier activated the cards and the guy said here's the cash. She counted the cash and said, "Sir, there's only $2400 here so it's $100 short." Ok, he said, just give me back the money and I'll leave the cards here and just run to my car to get the other $100.
He never came back and the cards that were left on the counter were old/expired Visa gift cards that he had substituted when the cashier was counting the money.
Apparently this exact same scheme was pulled off at two other Coop grocery stores in this area as well.
When I was getting the groceries today I saw Carlos and he said, "Hey, I've been off at school this week." I asked what for. "Firearm course." Apparently they've sent in his application for a gun permit so I guess he's not just going to be an undercover security guard, he's going to be an undercover armed guard.
*boggle*
At a grocery store????
I said, Geez they're going to expect you carry a gun while you're stocking shelves? He said that he has no idea; nobody's told him anything more than go and take that course and get this license.
Well, Carlos is a pretty big boy so if he tells you to halt then halting is probably a good idea.
An armed guard at a grocery store seems pretty over-the-top but he's told me that theft is getting worse and worse all the time and professional thieves can clean out a lot of stuff in a really big hurry so I guess you have to do what it takes.
He's been working there for over 25 years now, started as a box boy when he was still in high school and never left.
He's the gofer.
Stocks shelves, carries Mrs. Smith's groceries to her car, "Clean up in aisle 3" and he's the guy who shows up with the mop.
Some years ago they sent him on a course for how to detect and apprehend shoplifters so he's the "Coop Cop".
Over time they've improved his methods. They have installed a comprehensive video surveillance system in the store that's good enough to read the ingredients label on a soup can still on the shelf. This has made his life a lot easier since he's the only Coop employee that's allowed to carry his cell phone when he's on the floor and he can use an app to view and switch between the cameras and do instant replays. Now the evidence is on video and he doesn't have to try to lurk around the corner to see what's going on. They used to call a "Code Ten" on the PA system when they wanted him at the front to handle a "situation" but now the cashiers have a button that will make his phone beep so nobody else hears the call.
He's told me that over time security has become a bigger and bigger part of his job. And it isn't just a guy stealing a steak.
Last week two guys came in to buy Visa prepaid gift cards. $2500 in Visa gift cards. The cashier activated the cards and the guy said here's the cash. She counted the cash and said, "Sir, there's only $2400 here so it's $100 short." Ok, he said, just give me back the money and I'll leave the cards here and just run to my car to get the other $100.
He never came back and the cards that were left on the counter were old/expired Visa gift cards that he had substituted when the cashier was counting the money.
Apparently this exact same scheme was pulled off at two other Coop grocery stores in this area as well.
When I was getting the groceries today I saw Carlos and he said, "Hey, I've been off at school this week." I asked what for. "Firearm course." Apparently they've sent in his application for a gun permit so I guess he's not just going to be an undercover security guard, he's going to be an undercover armed guard.
*boggle*
At a grocery store????
I said, Geez they're going to expect you carry a gun while you're stocking shelves? He said that he has no idea; nobody's told him anything more than go and take that course and get this license.
Well, Carlos is a pretty big boy so if he tells you to halt then halting is probably a good idea.
An armed guard at a grocery store seems pretty over-the-top but he's told me that theft is getting worse and worse all the time and professional thieves can clean out a lot of stuff in a really big hurry so I guess you have to do what it takes.
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