A day after Global News reported on an alarming increase in violent shoplifting incidents at a Vancouver grocery store, police have stepped up their presence in the area.
Vancouver police confirmed Friday they had deployed their Public Safety Trailer, a mobile unit equipped with security cameras, outside the IGA at Robson and Richards streets.
“The trailers serve as a deterrent in response to the ongoing violent shoplifters that are occurring in the area,” VPD Const. Tania Visintin said in an email.
Read more: ‘It’s the Wild West’: Vancouver grocery store owner says violent incidents out of control
“They are not used for active surveillance and the video is only reviewed if is required for an investigation. Footage recorded is not retained, unless it is needed for investigation.”
- Allan Schoenborn seeks 1-year conditional discharge, 18 years after killing his children
- Would-be politician takes responsibility for defacing Surrey Pride crosswalk
- Toronto police charge 5 with antisemitic hate over Bathurst-Sheppard protests
- Quebec opens investigation into response of 2025 fatal police shooting of teen
The trailers do not record audio, have infrared capacity or the ability to see through walls or clothing, Visintin added.
On Thursday, store owner Anthony Sullivan described the deteriorating conditions for his staff as the “Wild West,” and shared disturbing video of the most recent incident which devolved into a brawl when staff attempted to stop an alleged shoplifter.
Sullivan said managers and workers had faced bear spray, knives, batons and other weapons in recent months.
Get daily National news
“It’s not one night or another night, it’s every single night,” he said.
Comments
Comments closed.
Due to the sensitive and/or legal subject matter of some of the content on globalnews.ca, we reserve the ability to disable comments from time to time.
Please see our Commenting Policy for more.