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WITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 18,1988, PAGE 3 Shoplifting incidences up in, W<hitby, By DERBIE LUCIIUK Shoplifting is on the increase ithe town of Whitby, according to local merchants. The head of security (who wished flot to be identified) at the KendalWood Plaza K-Mart says $20,000 to $25,000 is lost per year to shoplifters. She says the'sitiNion )s getting- worse day by day asf the 'population increases in Whitby. It's getting, worse because more people from Toronto are moving in. With more population, shoplifting will increase to the point where we're no better off than downtown Toronto.' ,However, Whitby police' are no;reporting any large increase in ithe number of reported shoplifting incidences. Staff Sergeant Ross Smith of the Whitby detachment, of the Durham Regional Police force, has files on three adult offenders, il "youthful" offenders, and three not yet apprehended, a male and two females for the month of April. According to Smith, shoplifting is a youth-oriented crime, moreso than an adult one. Although the shoplifters in recent 'lifts" from Audrey Jane's Lingerie and a dress shop in downtown Whitby, appear to have been a professionai. team (still at large), Smith said, "We, don't have many professional shoplifters." He does not believe there. are currently any shoplifting rings in the area. The Woolco security, head has not noticed an increase in shoplifting. in that store, but believes- shoplifting is getting worse in the Whitby MaIl1 overail. Saturdays appear to be the worst day for shoplifting, 'and the offenders are either youthful or elderly on the whole. "We can't be everywhere at the same timefi lamented K-Mart's security head. She -*1 describes shoplifting as a 25-to-40-year-old offence, mainly female.(aithough the number of maie offenders are on the rise). Shoplifters generaily take "anything they can lift;" youthful- offenders steal tapes, cigarets, fishing tackle, clothes, among other things. Elderly shoplifters steal small items, usually out of forgetfulness., Because the K-Mart is isolated, they have less of à probiem than other stores in the area. Because they have a large staff, they usually catch shoplifters before they leave the store. Summer is the worst -time 'because kids are boted." She beiieyes that pro Reeyeling is'a hit in Whitby Recycling has been highly successful in Whitby in ità first two months. 'We get more boxes on the curb each week in Whitby," says general manager Glenda Qies of the Durham Recycling Centre. There were 201 tons of recyclable refuse collected in April and 220 tons in March. The first week saw twice as much collection as the average weekly pickup. Gies has attributed the drop in volume to homeowners saving up their recyclables and only putting them out when their box is full. Blue boxés weredistributed te homeowners in Whitby in March for glass, tin cans, paper and plastic bottles, and put out for collection with regular garbage. There have been a few reports of theft of boxes. If a: box is stolen or cracked, it can be replaced for free, the second replacement being $5. Oies anticipates an average of 200 tons of recyclable refuse per month in the future Taslyne Green dies Taslyne Green, resident of Whitby and administrator of Fairview Lodge since 1985, died last week at her Whitby resi- dence. A private funeral was held on Monday. A memorial service will later be held. shoépliffing rings do move through this area. >What is the solution to the problern? A tougher court and justice system 'has to mete out stricter penalties, says the K-Mart security head. Often it's one year before a case is heard, and .even than the fine is usually only $100 often shelled out, ini the case of youth offenders, by parents. "We an't do ît al, and neither can the police. Thé courts have te do something," says Woolco's security chief. She. believes commur ty work. could -do a great deal o good for, some offenders. "Sometimes ail they want is attentiofi, . some help." Occasionaîly, she refers them for, psychological hel? and'has former offenders come and thank her:' later. The. kthez C ýpboard' [NOW ON DISPLAY 356 BROCK ST. S. 666-1600 SAVE ISAVINGS! SSAVINGS INGI$225'1 I1/ lb. regular coffee when i FREE!e you buy 1 lb. regular ceoffee!l I.Brln'g this cooupon ln for great savings!Good t-111 May 28/88 7 1 AND DON'T PAY UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1, -1988 s5 YEAR WARRANTY on one of the most quiet and efficient systems available. eFINANCING BELOW PRIME Pay your account on September lst.; or finance at below bank prime rates. SPECIAL EARLY ORDER BONUS VOUR CHOICE 0F ONE 0F THESE PREMIUMS FREE COLMAN 3-PERSON UOA EABLE VACUTE . 7g COLEMAN COOLIII rl5ý,,45 LITRES