Shoplifting, safety constant concerns for Saskatoon liquor store employee

Pauline Kelly has worked at the Colonial Beer and Wine Store on Eighth Street for several years.

While she generally doesn’t work the night shifts, she said she’s seen her fair share of incidents and people coming through the store trying to steal bottles of liquor or damage store property during the day.

Read more: 

• Saskatoon police arrest 52 people in second retail blitz
• Teen injured in assault by would-be robbers while walking to school: Police
• Saskatoon man, 28, charged after allegedly hitting motorcyclist, fleeing

It’s something she said she can spot pretty quickly. When it happens, she said she doesn’t take her eyes off that person.

“Some say ‘I’m just looking.’ Some say ‘What do you want?’ I’m like, ‘Excuse me, it’s not what do I want. I work here. What do you want?'”

Sometimes, she said, shoplifters try to hide the item or items they’re trying to steal in their clothing or a bag, or they simply try to walk out of the store with it.

Kelly said she tries to prevent thefts from happening, but she’s not prepared to confront someone who may have a weapon because she’s often alone in the store.

“I ain’t giving my life for this. I don’t wanna die or somebody come (and) stab me or something,” she said in a phone interview.

At night, even though the store has its own security and Saskatoon police regularly stop by, it can be more dangerous for employees as people gather outside of the store.

“One (employee) got pepper sprayed two or three times here,” Kelly said.

When she comes in during the daytime, Kelly said she can sometimes see the outgoing calls to 911 from the previous night.

In August, Saskatoon police officers completed a “retail blitz,” targeting stores in the Confederation Mall, Midtown Mall, and Eighth Street — including the 1300 block, where the Colonial Beer and Wine store is located — on four dates.

According to a news release, 52 people were arrested, 64 charges were laid and more than $6,000 in property was recovered.

The goal of the operation, was to “successfully apprehend violent and repeat offenders to reduce the risk of harm to the public and store employees/security, while also mitigating financial damage incurred by businesses,” the police force explained in a statement.

While Kelly said it’s helpful for police to visit, the effects don’t last long.

“I saw police frequently on the outside. Sometimes they come inside, to find out if everything (is) alright. But once I see the cops go away, (shoplifters) come back,” said Kelly.

She said she hopes to see more officers and patrols in the area, and said it’s important that police take their calls seriously, even though they may happen frequently. In some cases, she said calls are not responded to at all.

“When we call, let it not be ignored to say we are bothering them,” she said.

“It’s because we need them. That’s why we call. Sometimes we call and nobody shows up.”

While she feels that shoplifting is getting worse, Kelly said the best thing she can do, for now, is to protect herself on the job.

“Only by prayer,” she added.

Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce shares statistics

In June, the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce conducted a survey of 263 businesses, which was conducted in response to a growing number of concerns about theft, vandalism and interactions with vulnerable populations, along with the effect they were having on local businesses.

A letter was also sent to Saskatoon city councilors and Mayor Cynthia Block.

According to the chamber’s report, “85 per cent of businesses reported increases in security-related costs, with one in four experiencing hikes of more than 25 per cent. This suggests many businesses are being forced to invest more in protection measures to safeguard staff and property.”

The report also indicated that a majority of businesses were layering several strategies to try to deter crime and vandalism, including adding security cameras, gates, bars or reinforced windows and doors.