Consequences, why are retailers apprehensive to make thieves and those who threaten violence pay for their crimes?

Shoppers Drug Mart in our community hired security guards which were forbidden to interact with thieves.

What?

Thousands of dollars were stolen monthly, the products sold on the street.

Bus drivers are being assaulted with some fearing for their safety. Is their union providing support? Direction?

School bus drivers in my community were being threatened by students. School night maintenance workers were afraid to go to their vehicles post work for fear of being attacked.

Both groups received zero support from their employer. Their union asked for my assistance and the harassment and attacks ceased.

Some communities restrict first responders' activities to act only with police protection.

Members of Parliament protection details are strained because of the RCMP personnel shortage.

Some RCMP detachments are so understaffed they haven't the personnel to pursue charges. Some businesses refuse to press charges. Fear of retaliation?

My part time job in university was as a loss prevention officer for a grocery chain. We apprehended scores of thieves, tackled some as they attempted to flee. Every thief was prosecuted and banned from the store for life.

Photos credit to Unsplash

Here is an opinion piece by the CEO of London Drugs on the topic.

"What will it take to protect retail and service workers from increasing violence?

For years, retail and service workers in British Columbia have suffered increasing acts of violence from stabbings, needle sticks, attacks with weapons, punching, spitting, threats of harm and death, and abhorrent verbal abuse. Yet, what will it take for politicians, crown prosecutors and justice officials to take the same protective action against violence and abuse of retail and service workers as they are quick to implement for other workers in society?

Last year, for example, London Drugs experienced an 11 per cent increase in violence toward retail workers, which included physical assault, threatening behaviours and verbal abuse, and this high level of incidents is only increasing across Western Canada."

Clint Mahlman is president and COO of London Drugs and founder and chair of the Save our Streets Coalition.

https://link.vancouversun.com/view/63e13d6fc3f0aa365c0a1714lq9j0.4am/dd3d9369