I got a call one time from a mother who had caught her child stealing from my store (I was a manager of a grocery store at the time). She said she was making the kid bring the goods back and wanted me to make an impression so he wouldn’t do it again. When they came in I took a sheet of paper and “took a statement” from him, and then made him sign it. He could barely write his name. I told him I would have to give it to the police and we would do whatever they said. He was to report to me every time he came in the store until we got it “resolved”. With the mother’s permission, this went on for about a month. When I told the kid he was going to be let off for good behavior he looked really relieved. I doubt seriously he ever shoplifted again.
I got a call one time from a mother who had caught her child stealing from my store (I was a manager of a grocery store at the time). She said she was making the kid bring the goods back and wanted me to make an impression so he wouldn’t do it again. When they came in I took a sheet of paper and “took a statement” from him, and then made him sign it. He could barely write his name. I told him I would have to give it to the police and we would do whatever they said. He was to report to me every time he came in the store until we got it “resolved”. With the mother’s permission, this went on for about a month. When I told the kid he was going to be let off for good behavior he looked really relieved. I doubt seriously he ever shoplifted again.