Some stores add body cams to employees in effort to stop retail thefts
TJX-branded stores will have a new tool to fight theft – body cameras – like the ones police wear.
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Stores are starting to fight back against retail theft. TJ Maxx, HomeGoods and Marshalls are just some of the brands now using body cameras on employees to help deter crime.
“I don’t think it’s going to change anything because people still walk out and it’s not going to change much,” said Lisa Cairns of Freehold.
“I’ve seen a lot of police in front of these stores at times just from theft. It's horrible,” added Amanda Hay of Howell.
TJX-branded stores will have a new tool to fight theft – body cameras – like the ones police wear. A company spokesperson tells News 12 specially trained loss prevention employees will wear them and the footage can then be requested or subpoenaed by local departments to help identify suspects during investigations. Stores include TJ Maxx, Home Goods, Marshalls and Sierra are under the TJX brand.
Police in Howell Township say these retail body cameras are a good thing. They’ll help identify retail theft suspects and act as a deterrent.
“If you see someone walking around you know has a camera on, you know you’re on camera you may be less apt to commit that crime so it may act as a deterrent in that way,” said Corporal James Alexander, PBA President and Howell Township Police Department.
Alexander says the cameras are part of the solution.
“There has to be a consequence. There must be something you feel on the other end that says, 'If I do this, I’m going to have to pay the price.' And right now, we don't have that. Many people are let go with a slap on the wrist and commit a crime again,” said Alexander.
“There is no accountability because they’ll just do it again if they’re not caught one time. They'll go in, take the stuff and walk right back out,” said Hay.
The TJX spokesperson did not say what specific locations will utilize body cameras on loss prevention employees here in New Jersey, just that they’ve been introduced and will be further implemented in their family of retail stores.
