Shoplifting and Its Consequences

        The urge for getting away with taking something not paid for and saving your money is a hard habit to break for some people.  He large amount of shoplifters are non-professionals who steal, not out of having money or greed, but as a result to social and personal pressures in their life.  The person(s) only think about themselves in these circumstances.  People only worry about getting caught and getting in trouble with the law (going to jail or having this on their permanent record).  They don't think twice about who else they are effecting by doing this greedy maneuver.  Shoplifting effects your self-esteem (lowering your standards), your friends, family, even your local community as well.

        Shoplifting is beginning to grow more common in the world by each day.  About 1 in 11 people are shoplifters in the U.S.  More than $10 billion worth of merchandise is stolen from stores every year.  That comes to be about more than $25 million each day.  Stores usually are forced to raise their prices when people shoplift because of their lack in profits they are losing.  With stores raising their prices it causes consumers to go else where for items and sometimes even causes their stores to go bankrupt and out of business.  Can you imagine having a friend or family member who works at one of these stores and the stores having to lay employees off because they can't afford to pay the employees anymore.  It causes the stores to invest in more security systems.  The hiring of police officers is heightened as well.  Costs the community more money (sales tax) to invest in more of those people and items.

        After I was caught stealing, which I take full responsibility for, I started to think about how my actions effected the people surrounding me.  It lowered my self worth and I felt embarrassed me.  I felt like my friends, family and community distrusted me because I got caught up in the moment.  It's a horrible feeling and guilt to have to live with.  I'm glad I was able to give back to the community for what I have done and taken.  I found out how wrong It is and how it is a disadvantage to everyone.  Just the fact of breaking a law and getting serious consequences should be a good enough reason to cause me to make better choices.  I realized the effect it had on those I love and the place I live, which made me definitely think twice about making those bad decisions.

        I just remember the look on my parents faces as they walked into the store that night.  I was like wow look what I did.  I sure have learned an important lesson in the end.  I thank the community for letting me pay my mistakes back.  I believe this taught me much more then if I was to go to court and just pay a fine.  This really got me thinking about stealing on a whole new level.

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