Billings is Top 10 in the US for this Illegal Activity

You can add another statistic to the things we can be less-than-proud of in Billings. The Magic City has landed on the Top 10 list for cities with the most shoplifters per capita. Great.

According to a new analysis from Silver Law Firm, a criminal defense practice based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the shoplifting rate in Billings reached 94.07 incidents per 10,000 residents, with $17.62 in stolen value per capita, according to FBI crime data

This puts Billings at #9 in the United States for shoplifting cases. Burlington, Vermont, leads with a shoplifting hotspot score of 91.21, recording 132.73 incidents per 10,000 residents and $70.29 in stolen value per capita.

Read More: What You Need To Know About Billings' Food For Fines Initiative

What can Billings retailers do about it?

Well, it seems like not much. Despite people walking out the door with unpaid merchandise all the time, many businesses seem to have a "do not apprehend" policy to protect employees from potential violence.

I guess this makes sense. Nobody, including low-paid retail workers, should risk getting shot or stabbed for merchandise walking out the door. But it IS incredibly frustrating how often shoplifters pull off their dirty deeds in Billings. And we all pay for it with higher prices, as retailers account for losses.

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According to the latest available statistics, over 10 million shoplifting cases are reported in the US annually, with retailers losing over $13 billion each year to theft.

Shame shoplifters publicly?

Many businesses in Billings, and occasionally the police department, will post security camera footage of suspected shoplifters on social media. For example, our local Ace Hardware stores do a great job of this.

Would stiffer penalties for shoplifting help?

The fines for shoplifters in Montana can vary. According to Montana Code 45-6-301,

...a person convicted of a first offense of the offense of theft of property not exceeding $1,500 in value shall be fined an amount not to exceed $500. 

Jail time can be added for 2nd and 3rd offenses, and the fines are higher for stolen goods worth more than $1,500.

I imagine the shoplifting caseload is overwhelming for investigators and prosecutors in Yellowstone County. Surely, a large percentage of shoplifters get away with it, which can make us honest folks pretty upset.