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Norma, Los Angeles, CA — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:38:06 GMT

I completely agree with the actions of the man arrested at Circuit City. Personally, I am tired of some store employee (usually very old or very young) standing at store exits looking at receipts. First off, they barely glance at the thing so, if someone did shoplift an item they wouldn't even know it. Secondly, it makes people have to stand and wait instead of just being able to exit which is more of a hassle now with the holiday shoppers. Finally, there are alarm systems and security cameras to catch thiefs. I doubt that someone looking at a receipt for one second and drawing a line through it is really helping the shoplifting situation.

I'm also glad to see that he didn't allow the cop to try to bully him into giving up information. Sure, it was a pain having to get arrested, fight the charges, and still have to pay legal fees, but unfortunately drastic measures are sometimes needed to make sure our rights are not violated.

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Denise — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:58:03 GMT

Here is the Snopes.com info on free rice: http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/charity/freerice.asp

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Bob, Trumbull, CT — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:26:30 GMT

Will,

Your first instinct was right, the man was a jerk. If he had simply shown the guard his receipt, he would have been on his way in a matter of seconds. Now, he has many court dates and legal expenses. Will anything be accomplished other than the establishment of his criminal record and a waste of the court's time? Absolutely not. Several stores in my area practice this technique for reducing shoplifting. I always hold my receipt and have it ready for the guard at the door. I've never had a problem. What an idiot this man was.

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PeaceOnYou — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:53:43 GMT

I also am uneasy with some of the security tactics. Why doesn't Circuit City just have cattle gates after the register that lead you right out the door? You just went through the purchasing process, then a few feet later, on the way out the door you have to prove you just paid for what they put in the bag. I think they could save money this way. And for those that think it will increase their costs if they don't check bags - you are already paying to cover shoplifting costs. I agree with Michael Righi about the showing of a license. We do not have to carry papers like in Nazi Germany, yet. I hope the charges were dropped and he sues Circuit City. They had no right to block his father's vehicle. We bought our last computer there. Maybe we will not buy there again.

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DanE, chicago, IL — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 20:44:41 GMT

I'd probably agree with the circuit city guy if I hadn't spent time working at Best Buy. You'd be suprised how much effort is put into "policing" that small amount of space between the register and the door. It is literally the only location in the store where you can be spotted as shop lifting. Because you don't actually steal anything until you pass up the opportunity to pay for it. The ability to inspect bags after purchase is a HUGE tool in loss prevention. Really in reality short of someone volting some barriers to escape a store, the inspection at the door is the only way to CATCH shoplifters. The cameras and door sensors are filling in the cracks that are missed because they can't feasibly inspect every bag. What the gentleman really is overlooking(admitedly in the face of some much larger issues) is that theft is one of the major instigators of product pricing. Sure CD/DVD companies make a lot of money on a .50 DVD sold at $10, but the fact that they have to essentially right off 30% of product shipped due to theft is a huge contributer to why small items like cds and dvds rarely see price fall(of course huge profits are probably a bigger reason). In the end I guess that I don't mind letting some guy peak into my bag for 30 secs to do my little part to help out loss prevention. more info => http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loss_prevention

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Shoaib, Pittsbiurgh, Pennsylvania — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 20:48:35 GMT

I still don't understand why the word "lightning porn"?

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tony gallucci — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 21:02:21 GMT

Folks should have followed the links to the updated blog which show that the charges were dropped Sept. 20th, and to where he quotes Ohio law about what needs be provided a police officer, leading to the dropping of the charges .

p.s. thanks for posting my earlier comment -- i didn;t realize later that i'd probably goofed by sending you a Fox story, but you were gracious to post it anyway.

tg

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Rob, Long Island — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 21:07:35 GMT

Thanks for posting the virginia tech message. im an alum and heard about this while watching the va tech game aginast uva. while i didnt know anyone who got shot, id like to thank everyone as well. the outpouring of support was constant and genuine. i also would like to toot the horn of my fellow hokies and say that this was a great way to give thanks. apparently they knew when the sattelite was going to pass over the drill field but they only had a 15 minute window.

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Chris Browning — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 21:12:35 GMT

Will,
Totally on the side of the "jerk."
Money has changed hands, transaction over...accuse me of a crime or let me go. dont rifle through MY stuff.

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Maria, Puerto Rico — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 03:41:47 GMT

Will,
The guy who got arrested is an idiot. He's right along side those people who go to the emergency room for a head cold. The police officer had the right to arrest him for using a number, 911, reserved for emergency use only. If any of you people out there get yourself into a similar stupid situation, please call your local police department or better yet just show the receipt.
Speaking of police, because of an idiotic law, police cars here in Puerto Rico have to drive with their lights flashing at all times during the night--why? the criminals can see them coming from a mile away, duh?

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Gillian, Madison, Wisconsin — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:52:28 GMT

OK...I'm not sure how Seeqpod works, but it is fantastic! I gesticulate wildly with you :) I now have so many options for my daily Colin Hay fix it isn't even funny. Thanks Will.