Keesler exchange battles shoplifting Published Sept. 10, 2009 By Angela Cutrer 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Though shoplifting statistics are down across the country's military communities, cases at Keesler rose in the first six months of 2009, says Army & Air Force Exchange Service officials. And even with a high-tech electronic article surveillance system and closed circuit television installed, the value of merchandise stolen more than doubled. What seems to be the main cause? "There's more traffic here now," said BX store manager, Bill Buell, of the base and the surrounding area. "We've seen the number of customers steadily increase since Katrina." The expanded customer base is buoyed by increased troop strength and new housing opportunities, as well as from additional retirees moving into the area. Casino openings and out-of-town visitors also put more people in the store. "We lost that New Orleans (customer base) completely after Katrina," said Michael Diot, loss prevention manager. "Now we've got it back and we've seen the number of customers steadily rise." From February 2008 to August of 2008, there were 11 cases of shoplifting, with $655 of merchandise stolen. From February 2009 to August 2009, there were 13 cases with $1,700.01 worth of merchandise stolen. Most merchandise arrives at the BX with an embedded magnetic tag intact that must be demagnetized before it leaves the store. If not demagnetized, the tag will trigger an alarm to bring attention to the fact the product is leaving the premises. "Shoplifting at the exchange results in a reduced return on investment to our primary shareholders -- the military community," said Gerald Danish, vice president of loss prevention for AAFES, in a news release. "Because AAFES [has] a mission to return earnings to [Morale, Welfare and Recreation] activities, shoplifting at the BX or PX is essentially the same as taking money directly from the pockets of the military families exchanges serve." Dividends given to Keesler MWR over the last five years total $2.5 million. "No one likes catching shoplifters," Danish said. "In fact, one of our major objectives is to deter shoplifting before it ever happens by educating shoppers of all ages on the exchanges' ability to monitor and record activity throughout the store. It's our hope that individuals who might be considering theft will see the security measures, think twice and make the right decision for their family and career." Penalties for shoplifting include community service, suspension of AAFES privileges and loss of job opportunities. In some instances, repeat offenders face banishment from base. In addition, AAFES charges shoplifters and accomplices a $200 fee through the Federal Claims Collection Act, a civil recovery program that allows retailers to pursue merchandise losses and administrative costs.