FOLEY — Approximately 17 Forward City business owners gathered at Foley Police Department Friday morning in preparation for the upcoming holiday season.

That preparation included a seminar with tips from Foley Police Chief David Wilson and Lt. David White on the prevention of robbery and shoplifting.

The officers reminded attendees that shoplifting, the deliberate theft of store merchandise can be prosecuted on multiple levels.

“It’s one of the most prevalent crimes that we have,” White said.

Theft of property in the third degree is a misdemeanor charge for theft of items up to $500 in value. The same theft in second and first degrees are felonies for items ranging in $500-$2,500 and more than $2,500, respectively.

One final charge is also associated with shoplifting: receiving stolen property in the first, second or third degree.

“Occasionally, we find people with a trunkload of stolen property,” White said.

As for as descriptions of typical shoplifters?

“There are none,” White said. “They’re all shapes and sizes, all races and all genders.”

To prevent shoplifting, especially in the holiday season, the officers advised business owners to keep their businesses well lit.

“Lighting is a deterrent,” White said.

He also encouraged attendees to greet each customer entering the door and to be aware of their behavior.

“You can usually tell if somebody is acting suspicious or nervous,” White said.

In addition, the officers advised business owners to be aware of their surroundings outside their own walls.

“If you’re in a store by yourself, get to know your other merchants next door,” White said.

As for what to do if merchants do see a shoplifter, the officers urged safety.

“Do not put your hand on these people,” Wilson said. “You do not have anything in your store worth getting killed over.”

Instead, he advised the business owners to call the police.

That same advice was given to a seminar attendee who asked what to do if they are a customer who sees someone shoplift.

“I was in line at a store and saw a guy slip something into his pocket,” they said, explaining that when they notified the clerk, nothing was done.

“They could be a lazy clerk or they could be letting their boyfriend walk off with merchandise,” Wilson said. “If you see something like that, call the police and hang around.”

Both officers said the same precautions should be used to prevent robbery. However, if a robbery did occur, they urged attendees to comply with demands.

“Nothing is worth you getting hurt or killed over,” Wilson said. “I don’t care how much money it is.”

But once the robbery is over, Wilson and White advised attendees to call 911.

In addition, the officers offered the following holiday tips:

SHOPPING

• Don’t leave purchased items visible in the car. Leave them in the trunk.
• If shopping at night, park near adequate lighting. Also consider shopping with someone else, rather than alone.
• Make sure purses and wallets are secured and that you are aware of their location at all times.
• Keep as little cash on hand as possible.
• Keep track of credit card receipts.
• Stay aware of your surroundings and walk to and from your vehicle with “confidence and purpose.” Also, have keys ready before getting to your care so you don’t have to search for them while standing near it.
• Report suspicious people or activity to law enforcement immediately.

WHILE AWAY

• Valuable items, such as televisions, stereos and computers, should be inscribed with an identifying number to its owner (not a Social Security number).
• Create an up-to-date home inventory, including make, model, serial numbers, other descriptions and photographs of items of value (including jewelry). This inventory should be kept somewhere safe away from the house.
• At least two light timers should be set to turn the lights and television on and off in a logical sequence when away for an extended period of time to give the appearance that someone is home.
• The motion detector or other alarm system should be activated when you leave home.