TOP OF MIND
Top of Mind is a weekly question about an issue affecting New Mexicans.
LAST WEEK’S QUESTION
With local stores locking up merchandise to fight shoplifting, how do you feel about having to ask a clerk to open a cabinet for you? Annoying or a sacrifice you’re willing to make?
“Historically, stores simply had a counter and a catalog. The ‘walk amongst the shelves and pick your own products’ model is relatively new. This model only works in high trust societies. We are not that. We are simply seeing a return to the normal.” — Jay Roark Albuquerque
“It is a bit annoying, but it is better than the stores closing up as in San Francisco and Portland and having nowhere to shop locally.”
— Mary Hyatt Rio Rancho
“Stores have to do what they have to do. We have a trifecta of shoplifting, panhandling, and drug use that is out of control. One fuels the other. The real question is when will the city of ABQ find real solutions to the problems they’ve created?” — Michael Davis Albuquerque
“This may be inconvenient, but how else can these stores survive? Yet another symptom of the gradual breakdown of our society, and we don’t know how to stop it.”
— Greg Natzke Albuquerque
“Do I like it? No. Do I understand why? Yes. Can I live with it? Yes. If it will prevent crime-driven store closures like we have seen with Kohl’s, Walmart, etc. Our N.M. and ABQ criminal justice system sucks, particularly the courts. The bad guys are winning.” — David Coulie Albuquerque
“I don’t mind having an employee open up a glass cabinet for me. The problem I have is walking all over the store to find someone. Walgreens stores have little black buttons stationed around the store. They just won’t tell you where they are.” — Robert Wayne
Albuquerque
“I do not like having to ask for merchandise to be unlocked, but the retailers need to protect their profits. Having to knock on the door of my neighborhood Dollar Store just to get in is disturbing and worrisome. I avoid that store in my used-to-be-safe neighborhood.” — Gerard Alonzo Albuquerque
“It is totally annoying and if Mayor Keller and Chief Medina were doing their jobs, we wouldn’t have the out-of-control crime we have and wouldn’t need to lock everything up. Lock up the crooks, not the merchandise.” — Craig Halk Albuquerque
“Having to call a store clerk to unlock a display case to access an item you want to purchase is inconvenient, but necessary. The retail stores must use all tools at their disposal to mitigate the impacts of shoplifting.” — Ricardo Flores Albuquerque