Shoplifting: It’s not worth the risk

by 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

“Shoplifting continues to be a problem in our community. In particular, incidents involving minors have spiked in the first quarter of 2019.  Hopefully, reading this article will help people better understand the consequences for this type of criminal activity and prevent individuals from engaging in this behavior here in the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center,” said Lt. Col. J. Scott Elkins, 86th Mission Support Group Deputy Commander.

When family members are caught, they, along with their military sponsor and the sponsor’s First Sergeant or supervisor, are required to meet with Colonel Elkins to explain their actions.    

As a result of shoplifting, the offender loses AAFES, Services/MWR, and Commissary privileges, and the individual is no longer authorized in any such facility, to include affiliated food service establishments. An individual accompanying someone who is caught may be treated as an accessory and also have their ID card privileges restricted.  Additionally, AAFES charges a $200 Civil Recovery Act Fee, and German authorities may take action by imposing a fine.

Many shoplifting incidents occur when minors go to the KMCC after school or during holidays without a parent or adult. It is recommended that parents educate their children on proper behavior in the KMCC and supervise their youth whenever possible.

With all the disciplinary actions a shoplifter must face, you may ask, “Why would they do it?”  Many teenage offenders do it to see how much they can get away with or to prove to their friends they will not get caught.  With many hi-tech cameras and undercover store detectives throughout the store as well as security forces on patrol, chances are very high they will be caught.  A shoplifting incident remains in the Security Forces Management Information System for five years and is accessible during background checks for employment and security clearances.

Think about how shoplifting impacts everyone else, your family, your command, merchants and your future. Because when you steal, you steal from all of us.