Priceline Pharmacy in Coogee has set up a new shoplifting deterrent following the rise in retail theft in their premises. The store has put up a “name and shame” sign at the front window, with photos of the shoplifters caught in the act from the CCTV.
According to Yvonne Yung, who is in charge of the Coogee outlet, the initiative has prompted some of the shoplifters to return what they stole, which mostly comes from the beauty aisle since the products are on display are out in the open. The shoplifters also ask Yung to take down their photos, persuading Priceline to conclude that its name and shame policy works.
However, the move has sparked a debate among Coogee locals and some officials.
“I think you void your privacy when you steal from other people. They don’t deserve any,” said one resident via Coogee Local Loop.
“Innocent until proven guilty? If they are guilty, then it’s the legal system to punish, not anyone else,” another chimed.
“Call the police and let the individual deal with having a criminal record.”
Priceline said that businesses in the precinct have been dealing with this worsening issue for months with no action from the police. However, reports cited that the Eastern Beaches Area Command has not been aware of shoplifting activities on Coogee Bay Road.
Coogee Precinct Committee has written Randwick City Council about the validity of the name and shame sign after residents complained that it is a violation of privacy. Councillor Kathy Neilson said that she doesn’t like seeing the sign at the store’s front window and believes there is a better way to address or help shoplifters set their ways.
However, Bernadette Summers of the Coogee Chamber of Commerce doesn’t see anything wrong with Priceline’s move and said that this speaks volumes of the many challenges businesses have to deal with, on top of the pandemic. For Summers, the rationale for the name and shame sign is simple — if customers don’t want their photos exposed, then they shouldn’t steal.
