SFS helps AAFES fight shoplifting

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nestor Cruz
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  The holiday season has arrived and the 18th Security Forces Squadron is looking out for shoplifters who may be prowling in Army and Air Force Exchange Service facilities. 

There have been approximately 25 recorded cases of shoplifting in the past six months on Kadena Air Base, said Tech. Sgt. Matt Howard, 18th SFS NCO-in-charge of police services. 

"The trends in what people are stealing are clothing, expensive handbags, perfume, DVDs and music CDs," said Sergeant Howard. 

George Shaffer, AAFES Area Loss Prevention Manager for Okinawa and Japan, said shoplifters stole items in value ranging from 95-cent packs of trading cards to $760 Coach purses. 

"The average amount shoplifted (observed) at Kadena this year was about $95 per incident," said Mr. Shaffer. "The AAFES worldwide average in 2006 was $119." 

Shoplifting does more than steal merchandise from a store, said Sergeant Howard. It potentially takes away from everyone on base. 

"AAFES takes a portion of sales profits and gives it back to the community through morale, welfare and recreation activities," he said. "When people shoplift, that cuts back the amount of money AAFES can send, so in essence, shoplifting steals from all of us." 

AAFES estimated loss due to shoplifting in fiscal year 2006 was $23,955,960 worldwide, said Mr. Shaffer. 

This number includes shoplifters who are caught, people who drive off without paying at gas stations and unobserved shoplifting, when empty packages are found in the stores. 

Consequences for shoplifting if an active-duty member is caught may include a court martial, Article 15, reduction in rank, bad conduct discharge and six months confinement. 

Civilian workers and family members can also face severe consequences. These may include youth monitoring, mandatory counseling, loss of driving privileges for several months, barrment from AAFES facilities and a $200 civil recovery fee. 

"Shoplifting really doesn't make any sense," said Sergeant Howard. "Say a person steals a $1 bottle of water. If they are caught, they will be charged the civil recovery fee, so they end up paying $201 for a bottle of water. It's really not worth it." 

To combat this crime, Security Forces are launching an anti-shoplifting campaign to raise public awareness. 

"We're going to hand out flyers and try to help AAFES with increased police presence at the base exchange and other facilities," said Sergeant Howard. 

AAFES employs closed-circuit video surveillance systems and in-house undercover detectives to help combat shoplifting. 

Although security forces members will be on the lookout for shoplifters, shoppers can also help in the fight against shoplifting. 

"We want to let young children know that if they see someone stealing, they need to tell a parent," Sergeant Howard said. "For the rest of us, if you see someone stealing, inform an AAFES employee or call the Law Enforcement desk at 634-2475."