Walgreens is one of the largest drugstores in America, with over 8,000 stores across 50 states. Because of this, it has to deal with a lot of shoplifting incidents. So what is Walgreens’ policy on shoplifting? Here’s what I’ve found out from Walgreens employees:
Key Takeaways
Walgreens Shoplifting Policy 2022
Walgreens has a “no-chase” policy when it comes to shoplifting. The store does not actively search for suspected shoplifters, nor does Walgreens try to stop confirmed shoplifters. However, Walgreens provides video footage from its 24/7 CCTV cameras and other information to the police in order to investigate once the suspected thief has left the store. If a suspect is caught stealing at a Walgreens location, they may be charged with theft by Shoplifting.
What Is Walgreens ‘No-Chase’ Policy About Shoplifting?
Walgreens ‘no-chase’ policy regarding shoplifting requires that employees do not interfere with people who are known to be shoplifting.
Even if store employees can see someone openly carrying goods outside the store without paying for them, they are not supposed to try and stop the shoplifter or retrieve the stolen goods.
Do Walgreens Stores Have Monitored Cameras?
Yes, all Walgreens stores have surveillance cameras installed in every portion of the store, including the cash registers, supply shelves, and stock rooms.
These cameras are covered by one-way mirrors or dummy domes to make it impossible to detect which direction the camera is pointing towards.
The cameras work 24/7 and are monitored by a central security service. The footage is saved for a long period of time so it is possible to recover and view the footage of a past event.
However, maintaining the camera system is the responsibility of each store and its manager. Therefore, some employees report that certain stores do not have well-maintained or even functional camera systems.
Do Walgreens Employees Stop And Search Suspected Shoplifters?
No, Walgreens employees are prohibited from stopping and searching a customer based on suspicion that the person may be shoplifting.
In many cases, trying to check if a customer is shoplifting has led to employees losing their jobs at Walgreens.
Does Walgreens Notify The Police About Shoplifting Incidents?
Yes, Walgreens does notify the police about shoplifting incidents. Since it has a no-chase policy, employees do not intervene when the person is walking out with the stolen goods.
However, they are required to report this incident to the police, providing the video footage of the shoplifting and any details about the person involved. This information is then used by the police to investigate and try to track the shoplifter.
How Are Shoplifters Prosecuted By Walgreens Once They Are Caught?
If the police catch a shoplifter who has been known to be shoplifting from Walgreens, it will initiate prosecution against the person based on the scale of the offense.
For example, Washington state classifies shoplifting into three categories as described below:
- If the total value of the stolen goods is below $750, the offense will be considered a third-degree theft charge, and the offender will have to pay up to $5,000 in fine, spend up to one year in jail, or both.
- For a total value between $751 and $4,999, the offense will be a second-degree theft charge (a class C felony) and will impose up to 5 years in jail, up to $10,000 in fine, or both.
- For a total value of more than $5,000, the offense will be a first-degree theft charge (a class B felony) and will involve up to 10 years in jail, a fine of up to $20,000, or both.
Other states follow a similar classification that is based on the total value of the goods stolen.
How Does Walgreens Deter Shoplifting Incidents?
On the surface, it may seem that Walgreens’ shoplifting policy does not do anything to stop people from stealing goods from its stores. However, Walgreens does implement measures to deter people from shoplifting while inside the store.
For example, Walgreens employees are told to explicitly call out a ‘Welcome to Walgreens!’ to every customer that comes inside the store and a ‘Be well!’ to every person that leaves.
This makes the customers aware that the employees are always around and have noticed their presence.
Moreover, employees are also asked to follow customers around, offering them help every now and then. Having an employee tailing you around to ‘help you’ can be a strong deterrent for potential shoplifters.
Why Does Walgreens Have A ‘No-Chase’ Policy For Shoplifters?
The primary reason Walgreens has a no-chase policy is to protect its employees and customers from any kind of harm.
Intervening with shoplifters and trying to stop or confront them may lead to escalations and physical altercations. In some cases, the shoplifters may even resort to using firearms that they are carrying with them. This puts the health and lives of both the Walgreens employees and other customers in danger.
This may also lead to damage and liabilities of other items in the store, adding to the overall loss faced by Walgreens. Therefore, employees are not allowed to intervene or try to retrieve stolen goods.
Another reason why Walgreens does not permit its employees to stop and search suspected shoplifters is to avoid lawsuits in the case that the customer is not shoplifting. If a customer is offended because they were perceived to be shoplifting by the staff, they may end up filing a lawsuit against Walgreens. This will result in unnecessary liabilities and expenses for Walgreens.
The only recommended course of action for Walgreens employees is to let the shoplifter (suspected or confirmed) walk out without interference and then report the incident to the police and the Walgreens management.
To learn more, you can also see our posts on the Dollar General shoplifting policy and the Walmart shoplifting policy.
Additionally, you can read our guide on Walgreens statistics and trends, and learn how Walgreens is combatting online competition.
Conclusion
Walgreens has a ‘no-chase’ policy, i.e. it does not permit its employees to stop and search suspected shoplifters, nor does it allow them to intervene when a person is clearly seen to be stealing goods.
However, once a shoplifter steps out of the store, it reports the incident to the police, providing video footage and identification details. The footage is recorded 24/7 through CCTV cameras installed everywhere in the stores.