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WINTER 2018 21 STOPLIFTERS INC. "I am a Harvard grad who has opened numerous, new retail locations in two provinces for one of Canada's largest retailers," says Baerg, a former Manitoba Young Entrepreneur of the Year. "Over the years, I have seen shoplifting evolve from a young kid sneaking a candy bar into his pocket to a van parking at the front entrance and a group of people brazenly running into a store, grabbing all they can, and threatening people with weapons as they run out. The sad fact is that no one is doing anything about this growing epidemic." Baerg says large retailers typically instruct employees not to interfere with suspected shoplifters. But experienced thieves are well aware of the policy and conduct themselves accordingly. For a monthly fee, Stoplifters' clients will be able to post door decals to indicate that the company is monitoring the premises, and they will get help in identifying and addressing theft risks and establishing security best practices. Stoplifters can also help connect habitual shoplifters with the support services they need to stop stealing. "Few police reports are filed, fewer are followed up and only a tiny, tiny percentage are ever prosecuted," Baerg says. "We have many social service resources in Winnipeg, but no one is funneling shoplifters to those resources, so they don't get the help they need to change their lives." His company would serve as a liaison for retail clients by filing and following up on police reports, and working with law enforcement and social workers to better deal with shoplifting and offset its ill effects on business performance and store security. "In my opinion, shoplifting is a major workplace safety issue," he says. "Increasingly, employees, and even customers, are subject to the tension and fear associated with a blatant criminal act. There is always the potential for violence and a customer who witnesses an incident may no longer shop at that store, out of fear." Some stores hire security guards during busy periods, but Baerg believes his company can provide more comprehensive service, and at a lower cost. "I am hoping that Stoplifters will be seen as a disruptive innovation that offers practical solutions to a growing problem for retailers, and society in general, because millions of dollars are lost at retail every day to shoplifting," says Baerg. "If I can convince retailers, police, prosecutors and government agencies that shoplifting is not 'just the cost of doing business,' but an important societal problem that needs to be addressed, I will consider Stoplifters to be a success." ■ "If I can convince retailers, police, prosecutors and government agencies that shoplifting is not 'just the cost of doing business,' but an important societal problem that needs to be addressed, I will consider Stoplifters to be a success." Jim Carr, MP Winnipeg South Centre 204.983.1355 • jimcarrmp.ca Terry Duguid, MP Winnipeg South 204.984.6787 • www.terryduguid.ca Dan Vandal, MP Saint-Boniface - Saint-Vital 204.983.3183 • www.danvandal.ca Doug Eyolfson, MP Charleswood-St. James- Assiniboia-Headingley 204.984.6432 • deyolfson.liberal.ca Reducing taxes, red tape and increasing trade opportunities for businesses. Réduire les impôts, le fardeau administratif et multipliez les occasions pour les entreprises. PROUD SUPPORTERS OF Manitoba Businesses manitobaliberals.ca Dougald Lamont Judy Klassen Cindy Lamoureux Jon Gerrard MANITOBA LIBERAL CAUCUS MLA Kewatinook MLA St. Boniface MLA River Heights MLA Burrows MBLiberalCaucus.ca

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