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By Delia Paunescu: Assistant Editor

 
After hearing everything ECPs had to say about shoplifting and security in their respective stores, we turned to the internet and asked our Facebook friends about their own experiences. Overall, optical folk have been very lucky. We heard about few major break-ins or thefts, some of which, unfortunately, were violent. Where there were incidents, shoplifters turned their attention to high-end frames with designer names. In all cases, retailers pointed out that frames are never more important than the personal safety of their staff or their customers. These, and other stories are ahead.

If you’d like to share your own tale about theft, please e-mail dpaunescu@jobson.com.

Ben LaMaster, optician at Georgetown Optician in Washington D.C.
“Our cases are locked, and when people [complain] about it I say, "When's the last time you went to a jewelry store and saw all of the jewelry sitting out on the counter?"

Midwest City Vision Source, Midwest City, Mich.
“Our optical is in a very visible, central location. At any time, there are at least two assistants who can view anyone who may need assistance. We installed several cameras after a large theft in the area a few years ago and our sunglasses are in a locked case. Of course we have a security system also for after hours. Thankfully, shoplifting has not been a big issue in our office.”

Hector La Torre Arana
“It was when I was an optician at Santa Fe Optical in Austin, Texas. I am now a sales rep for Alain Mikli. Years back, one of our locations had their front door kicked in and the thieves made out pretty good in about a minute’s work. Since then, the owner purchased large safes where the desirable goods are put away every night.”

Tim Moss, frame buyer/office manager at Eye Elegance in Houston
“For 20 years, we were able to leave frames in our window displays overnight. Then last year our windows were broken into twice, the second time after installing super-thick security laminated glass. We now have to remove everything from the windows. We have security cameras in the store. I used them this year to catch a Houston socialite stealing a David Yurman sunglass—someone who is a customer. We had her name, address and phone number on file. The police called her at home from our store after seeing our video. She paid for the sunglasses and admitted that she had a problem and had been arrested for shoplifting before!
“Fortunately, most of the thieves don't know the good from the bad. They're much more likely to steal Chanel, for example, than Chrome Hearts because it's a ‘brand.’ I think that not having those ‘brands’ actually helps the high-end boutique. They sure want Cartier, though. That's what they took from the window.
“Also, Certified Opticians of Texas (COAT) (www.coat.tv/ ) has a pretty good system of getting the word out when someone gets shoplifted. We can contact them and they will email their whole list with a description of the suspects, where the crime occurred and photos from surveillance if available.”

Sybil Ann Koning, ABOC at InVision in Minnetonka, Minn.
“We don't expect the general public to be knowledgeable opticians. The same can be applied to the concept of thieves. They are good at what they do because it is their chosen ‘profession.’ That said, we try to keep close and don't let them behind our counters. We ask a lot of questions and hope that they realize that they won't get anywhere. The safety of employees is most important to our owner and his philosophy is simple: saving one or two frames is not worth risking employee safety.”

Olga Ljutic-Trentin, optician, owner of Eyewear By Olga in Port Credit, Ontario
“My shelves are open like most luxury boutiques and I keep a close eye on customers but knock on wood, so far so good. Mind you, I just opened in August. I also have that security film on my front windows and door and a security gate that I close when we are finished for the day. The cameras are on all the time and I can log in to view the store from home. But I really think that all of these things are deterrents. If someone wants to get in, they will.”

Paris West Optical in Baltimore, Md
“We had issues when we first opened. Now all of our showcases are locked. When we open a new one the other is closed, and every frame has a ‘home’ so it's easy to see if something is missing. We let customers browse one case at a time and try to be attentive but not suffocating. We also have a security camera on the showroom floor as well as the front display window and front door. The entire staff works together to get frames off of tables and back into the display cases once a client has ruled them out. Knock on wood, our percentage of shrinkage is extremely low.”

Paula Hornbeck, owner of Eye Candy in Delafield, Wis.
“I've been pretty lucky but lost a $700 Fred sunglass to a little old lady.”

Barry Montalto, Optique Unique in Metuchen, N.J.
“We have been picked twice in nine years. We caught the first guy in four minutes. I was still on the phone with dispatch when first cop showed up. He was caught with four suns worth nearly $1,800. He went to jail for nine months out of a three-year sentence. I was too slow to realize the second guy stole from me. Now we have 20 cameras covering every section of the store and they are very visible. Theft deterrents will weed out the non-professionals, the pros will try anyway. You just have to keep alert.”