Dyess BX loss prevention team poised to decrease theft in 2007

  • Published
  • By Sheila Scevers
  • AAFES Public Affairs Representative
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  In spite of an upgraded camera systems capable of recording to DVR as well as a 2002 amendment allowing federal retailers to pursue losses and administrative costs related to shoplifting, theft at the base exchange rose 1,425 percent, from four incidents in 2005 to 61 in 2006. As a result, the cost of merchandise involved in shoplifting at Dyess last year jumped from $480.50 in 2005 to $3,294.19.

"Shoplifting at the exchange results in a reduced return on investment to our primary shareholders -- the military community," said Ron Barfield, the BX general manager . "Because the Army and Air Force Exchange Service is a command with a mission to return earnings to Morale, Welfare and Recreation activities, shoplifting at the BX is essentially the same thing as taking money directly from the pockets of military families."
With a dual mission to provide quality goods and services at competitively low prices and generate earnings to support morale, welfare, and recreation programs, AAFES, which has contributed more than $2.4 billion to military quality of life programs in the past ten 10 years, is increasing its focus on efforts designed to reduce theft.

To protect the MWR dividend and help strengthen the exchange benefit, AAFES Loss Prevention associates proactively identify store display areas that tend to have high theft rates. These areas include electronics, sporting goods and cosmetics which offer small, high value items. The Dyess BX has camera surveillance systems manned by detectives to monitor these areas and, with new DVR capability, review more than 100 hours of recording on all cameras.

"No one likes catching shoplifters," said Mr. Barfield. "In fact, a major effort by Loss Prevention is to educate the public on our capability to monitor and record suspicious activity as a tool to deter shoplifting before it ever happens. It's our hope that individuals who might be considering theft will see the security measures and think twice."

If shoplifting is suspected, BX Loss Prevention associates turn the issue over to military police. In addition to possible disciplinary action and/or criminal prosecution, the Federal Claims Collection Act, which began March 1, 2002, allows AAFES to enact a flat, administrative cost (Civil Recovery) of $200. There may be further fees, in addition to the Civil Recovery Program, depending on the condition of the stolen merchandise.