BREAKING NEWS – New York City, New York – Retail thefts have ballooned in the last few years, creating a multi-billion problem for retailers and forcing companies to take drastic action to protect from lost profits.
Numerous pharmacies, grocery stores and other retailers have shortened store hours or been forced to close permanently as locked-up merchandise becomes commonplace to protect against shoplifters and smash-and-grab thieves.
Home-repair chain Lowe’s announced a crackdown on power tool thefts, with a new process that would leave the items virtually unusable after they’re stolen. A new initiative called “Project Unlock” will utilize RFID chips and scanners to activate power tools when they are purchased. If a power tool is stolen and not activated at check-out, it will not turn on. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called this particular new business tactic, “extremely insensitive and crosses a line”. She explained that disabling power tools unless paid for, hurts homeless shoplifters because it “unfairly prevents them from obtaining tools that they need to repair and/or build their shacks in tent cities nationwide.”