Monday, September 20. 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 7
Stores watch for shoplifters
By Jessie Meyer Special to the Kansan
Lawrence shoplifting rates are on the rise with the beginning of the school year and the return of college students, and area stores are cracking down on thieves.
"We see a very significant increase when school starts," said Troy Mullenbach, assistant protection manager at SuperTarget.
A coincidence? Sgt. George Wheeler, Lawrence Police Department representative, doesn't think so.
"Historically, theft and shoplifting has risen around this time when students come back," Wheeler said. "We are dispatched several times a dav now."
Because so many new cases are filed every day, Wheeler only could estimate the number of theft-related prosecutions per week. With school back in session, there are about twice as many calls per week compared to the summer, Wheeler said. But he said he did not have exact numbers of calls during the summer or school year.
Police and security officers do not
blame the rising number of thefts on all college students, nor is it only college students who steal. But Mullenbach said that since college students had lower incomes and just as many, if not more, wants, some tended to take whatever they couldn't afford.
Because of peer pressure and lower incomes, groups of young adults are near the top of the suspicious-shoppers list. Security personnel at SuperTarget also are on the lookout for unusual behavior and guests wearing clothing that conceals, Mullenbach said. There are other things that the security team looks for, but he refused to divulge them because of security reasons.
SuperTarget, like most discount department stores in Lawrence, has a complex security system. There are plain-clothed security officers, who look just like ordinary shoppers, roaming the store, and video cameras across the ceiling that tape and monitor what the personnel may miss. Electrical Article Surveillance devices monitor the front doors and detect active radio frequency tags on high
dollar items that pass through the doors. Mullenbach said.
Wal-Mart has taken extra precautions by installing cameras on the roof of the building to survey the parking lot. Wheeler said, Wal-Mart also had cameras along the ceiling and personnel on the sales floor. Neither Wal-Mart nor Kmart officials would comment because of corporate policies.
Thieves are set apart from shopper when they show what Wheeler called intent to steal.
If the merchandise is valued at more than $500, the suspect is charged with a felony and taken to jail immediately. Wheeler said.
Once caught on videotape, suspects have little room to argue. The minimum penalty is $25 and is based on the suspect's history and the value of the merchandise, said Beth Viscosky, the municipal court manager.
SuperTarget has a specific penalty that bans 95 to 98 percent of prosecuted shoplifters from the store. The suspects can be charged with trespassing if they attempt to reenter.
— Edited by Allan Davis
Students volunteer as local mentors
By Sara Shepherd
Special to the Kansan
Todd Aschenbach has found an easy way to volunteer. He signed up to be a pal — and now he's a mentor.
"It's simple. It's easy. And you can feel good about it," said Aschenbach, graduate student in ecology.
Last year, Aschenbach volunteered with Campus Pals, a program that gives children who are waiting for a buddy with the Lawrence Big Brothers, Big Sisters program a chance to temporarily be paired up with a KU student.
primarily a campus organization.
Melissa Howard, First Mentors case worker, said she hoped joining forces with CCO would help recruit student volunteers because it was
After a change in national sponsors this year, the program was renamed First Mentors. In addition to sporting a new title, First Mentors now is a joint effort among Big Brothers, Big Sisters and the KU Center for Community Outreach.
primarily a campus organization. CCO envisions First Mentors as a stepping stone to the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program for both children and student volunteers, said Mel Henning, First Mentors coordinator.
First Mentors will try to match as many as 20 children on the Big Brothers, Big Sisters waiting list with a KU student and a varsity athlete. Howard said. The pairs will attend several events throughout the semester, including a football game and a women's basketball game.
Henning said it was important for the mentors to commit to all three events so the child could be with the same volunteer each time.
Howard said First Mentors not only provided role models, but it also gave the kids a peek into the college experience.
"It just makes them feel that somebody cares about them and wants to see them succeed." Howard said.
In addition to the experience of
helping children, Aschenbach said participation in the program looked good on a resume, and volunteers got free food and admission to the three events.
Because he does not stay in town all year, Aschenbach said he would not have been able to commit to the 12-month Big Brothers, Big Sisters program. But, he said, First Mentors offer the same type of program with more flexibility and a smaller time commitment.
First Mentors is in the process of planning events and finding student volunteers for the program this semester. Students interested in volunteering can call CCO at 864-4073. The application deadline is Sept. 29.
The program will begin Saturday with children attending Camp Jayhawk at Anschutz Sports Pavilion where they will meet student athletes and participate in activities.
—Edited by Kelly Clasen
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