Shoplifting incidents in Sault Ste. Marie has soared, with a 22 percent increase in the number of cases reported compared to last year. In response, local law enforcement is stepping up efforts to address the problem through preventative measures, collaboration with the Crown’s office and improved data analytics.
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This increase comes despite an overall decline in crime across the city. Property crimes such as burglaries and car thefts have fallen significantly – by 32 percent and 25 percent respectively – according to statistics presented at Monday’s police council meeting.
“We know something is going on because there are fewer car thefts and burglaries,” said Police Chief Hugh Stevenson. “The criminal subculture doesn’t have to worry about that; they just go into the store, steal the product and walk out.”
Many thefts involve low-value consumables, often related to substance use. “It becomes a cheap commodity to basically support the fentanyl habit in this city,” Stevenson said.
The economic and social consequences of shoplifting are widely felt, the police board heard. Store owners face higher security costs, which are ultimately passed on to consumers, contributing to a higher cost of living. “I think sometimes when we see shoplifting we think, ‘Well, that’s not an important issue.’ It is an important issue because it affects many more people than violent crime,” Stevenson said, adding that many shoplifting offenders could become violent in the future.
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While large franchises like Circle K are often targeted, small businesses are also victims. An employee of Krazy Ernie’s noted, “People steal all the time. Sometimes it’s so small that we don’t bother reporting it, but it’s frustrating.”
The employee who wanted that to stay anonymous, noted that shoplifting seems to be is improving, now about once a week, compared to once every few days in the summer.
Shoplifting is a persistent problem in the city center. Ashton Carter, coordinator for the Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Association (DTA) emphasized the financial and safety impacts.
“Shoplifting in our downtown is a real concern that not only affects local businesses financially, but also affects the sense of safety for residents, employees and visitors,” Carter said in a statement.
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The DTA has been working with law enforcement, community organizations and merchants to address the problem through various initiatives. The Downtown Ambassador Program, launched by the CMHA in 2022, provides on-site support to vulnerable individuals and addresses safety concerns. In June, Norpro Inc. began operating. with a downtown security patrol program using track tick tags, a technology that monitors patrol movements to optimize their effectiveness and improve collaboration.
To combat shoplifting, police have consulted eleven businesses from Monday and provided advice on preventive measures, such as installing mirrors and raising counter heights to discourage theft. Crime Stoppers has also stepped up efforts, using “Wanted Wednesday” posts to highlight repeat offenders.
Repeat offenders, especially those who commit multiple thefts in one day, are now being held on bail with the support of the Crown Office. Police believe stricter bail conditions could help connect offenders with treatment and support.
“It’s not going to stop until we implement bail issues as we have for the last 20 years, where people are held until they get the help, they get the treatment and they can move on with their lives,” he said. Stevenson.
The Local Journalism Initiative is made possible by funding from the federal government.
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