Human Resource Selection 9th Edition by Marianne Jennings

Exercise 25

The A N Food Market in Flushing, New York has adopted the following procedures when its security cameras observe shoppers stealing store merchandise:
• The alleged thief's identification is taken.
• The alleged thief is photographed holding the items they are alleged to have taken.
• The store security guards tell the alleged thieves that their pictures (with them holding the merchandise)will be displayed publicly in the store unless they pay for the items and pay a fine of $400.
• If they do not have $400 to pay the fine, the store holds their identification until they return with the $400.
This store, almost all of whose customers are Chinese, is using the same system to curb shoplifting that is used in China. There is a slogan posted at most retailers in China that warns of the store's fine policy, "Steal one, fine 10." The owners of the A N Food Market maintain that their policies and procedures are legal because they are covered under the shopkeeper's privilege. Are they correct? Are their actions covered under the privilege? 4