Retail chains like TJX, the parent company of TJ Maxx and Marshalls, are equipping some store employees with body cameras to deter shoplifting and improve safety. This is part of a growing trend in the retail industry, as stores respond to an increase in organized retail theft and violence against workers. However, some criminologists and worker advocates argue that body cameras are unlikely to be an effective deterrent and that retailers should focus on improving training, staffing, and other safety measures instead. There are also concerns that the body camera footage could be misused, such as to monitor and discourage union organizing. Overall, the implementation of body cameras in retail is a complex issue with pros and cons that retailers will need to carefully consider.
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The primary responsibilities of one job at a Marshalls in Miami Beach, Florida, are to maintain a “proper and professional stance” at the front of the store, act as a “visual deterrent to prevent potential loss/dishonesty” and wear a company-issued body camera. The description says that the camera is to record “specific events involving critical incidents for legal, safety, and training purposes.”
These employees, who wear a company-approved black vest, black pants and black shoes, are instructed not to stop or chase after shoplifting suspects.
It’s the same reason I made sure the security cameras on my house are visible from the street. People with bad intentions just move on to easier targets.
They may have seen the studies down on police forces who adopted cameras. They saw a drop in complaints against officers, as well as fewer escalations by the public against officers. Likewise, they’re hoping this translates to retail.
One massive MASSIVE problem with that logic. TJ Maxx/Marshalls employees don’t have a pre-existing stigma as being known for beating and killing black people and getting away with it. These employees aren’t known to single people out, harass them, stalk them, and make life hell for them.
So if the cops behavior changed because they’ll be held accountable, it’s not quite the same thing as store employees already surrounded by cameras, and always have been held accountable for their actions. If they wanted to use this for shoplifting purposes they’d hire more back of house people to actively monitor cameras, and more human security guards to react live as it happens to theft.
As it stands, all they’re doing is getting yet another video angle of what they already have footage of. This time with a fisheye lense.
They do follow certain people around who may or not be of certain demographic representation.
I noticed in my local supermarket in the UK they started wearing cameras too it’s really weird. I’m really not sure what their goal is - it will never help shoplifting as much as static cameras, and seems a lot of effort to safeguard against abusive customers.
Can’t have people who can’t afford to eat actually eat? This is sad, and it doesn’t bode well, for global society.
