5/20/11 Main Street Wooster merchants want to be kept in the loop regarding crime

  • By Nick Sabo
  • May 20, 2011
  • 282
                        
SUMMARY: Annual meeting with Wooster PD focuses on shoplifting, robbery Between keeping their shops open, business owners often have to deal with crime, vandalism and harassment. They may not always know how far they can go detaining a suspect or how best to handle a dangerous situation. At a meeting with Wooster Police Patrolman Rob Henderson Wednesday May 18, Wooster merchants shared concerns about arming themselves to protect their business and what to do about roaming groups of teenagers. The meeting was overshadowed by a recent spate of thefts, resolved and unresolved, in the Wooster area. Henderson said situations inside a business should be handled with the utmost caution. The best resolution -the peaceful arrest of a suspect- requires good witnesses. “I don’t recommend fighting back,” Henderson said. “Baseball bats, pepper spray aren’t going to be be effective against a gun. The best thing is to be observant.” Several merchants said they have armed themselves with pepper spray and firearms. Using either can cause things to escalate and have unintended circumstances, Henderson said. In an armed robbery, the criminal has the drop on the person behind the counter. Pulling a weapon makes the suspect more likely to use their own. “The best thing to do is comply with what they’re saying,” Henderson said. “I don’t want to see anyone get hurt. If they’re robbing your business, if they have that mentality, they’re going to stick around for the fight.” Hendersn further noted that an extra firearm creates another factor for police dealing with the situation. Henderson fielded several questions on shoplifting and when a merchant has the right to take action. As soon as an individual conceals an item, by placing it inside clothing or a bag, for example, a crime has been committed. Merchants may approach suspected shoplifters at any time, but the best time to stop a suspect is after they’ve passed the cash register. “You can’t go to the extreme of searching them, but you can try to get your merchandise back,” Henderson said. “Keep an eye on them, watch them select the merchandise and conceal it. Make sure they pass the register, that’s the last point where they have the opportunity to unconceal and pay.” A shop owner may physically detain the suspect, Henderson said. However, the suspect may turn combative, he said. Several business owners had questions about recent alleged shoplifting and a robbery at a Liberty Common business. Some, including White Jewelers owners Heather and Andy Kobilarcsik, suggested going back to a phone chain to report suspicious behavior. “I like the phone tree idea,” Heather Kobilarcsik said. “We used to do it years ago and it was very helpful. We could pass info along so you knew who to look out for.” Many at the meeting said they felt out of the loop on what is going on, relying on rumors. The meeting was sponsored by Main Street Wooster as an annual talk with merchants and law enforcement, MSW executive director Sandra Hull said. Hull said the meeting further revealed a need to keep businesses up to date on criminal activity in the area. “We’ve got to keep people informed,” Hull said. “That way it jumps you, you’re prepared, you realize you’ve got to keep an eye out.” Henderson said any time a merchant feels they have a situation they cannot control is the right time to contact police. “Don’t think you’re bothering us,” Henderson said. “We have to respond to every call. We’re the party poopers, when we show, they want to get out of there.”


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