INDUSTRY NEWS

Japanese Seniors Out-Steal Teens

For the first time in 2012, Tokyo’s elderly citizens were caught shoplifting at a higher rate than the city’s juveniles. According to a survey reported by The Diplomat, 24.5 percent of busts involved seniors over 65 years old, while juveniles accounted for 23.6 percent.

Age demographics provide an interesting glimpse into the growth prospects for different societies. Countries with a healthy proportion of inhabitants under the age of thirty have birth rates that engender economic activity—India is a prominent example. Many of the world’s developed countries with low birth rates, like Japan, have fewer young people, and a high proportion of senior citizens. The population of Japan has actually fallen for the last three years.

Coupled with at least a decade of stagnant economic growth, there are fewer workers supporting Japan’s burgeoning number of people relying on government subsidy. The article points out that by 2060, about 40 percent of Japan’s population will be over 65 years old. The end result is that seniors are resorting to the pilferage of consumable necessities. In fact, 70 percent of the elderly arrests fit that category.

Is the U.S. heading in the same direction? The birth rate in the U.S. fell to its all-time low in 2011 (the last year of available statistics), as has the rate for teenagers. Our recent economic situation is far less than healthy, but as in Japan, there are fewer workers supporting welfare recipients, the disabled, and Medicare/Medicaid recipients.

Are more senior citizens resorting to shoplifting necessities out of desperation? Statistics are scarce, but my random sampling indicates that the answer is “Yes.” Are New York City’s proportions anywhere near those of Tokyo? Doubtful, but senior shoplifting is likely to increase at a higher proportion than in the past.

The Passing of an Icon: John H. Christman

By Charles A. Sennewald, CPP, CSC

On Friday, July 12, 2013, John Christman passed away, marking the sad loss of a true loss prevention icon. Christman stood tall in the security world generally and the retail industry specifically, as an innovator, educator, lecturer, author, respected executive, and in the final years of his long career, a sought-after consultant and expert witness. His office walls are covered with an impressive array of awards, certifications, plaques, and news articles acknowledging extraordinary professional achievements, including his induction into the NRF’s loss prevention ring of excellence.

Despite his many feats, Christman is probably best remembered in the loss prevention community for his 22 years of service as VP and director of security with Macy’s West, where he directed a staff of over 500, with major distribution centers and sixty stores. Prior to that appointment he worked with a major market chain based in Los Angeles, CA, where we met and became friends. Our relationship as a team of two in the early 1970s developed the now universally accepted “six steps” necessary for a shoplifting detention.

He was the first president of the California Merchants Association’s retail security committee, which was instrumental in codifying the act of shoplifting and civil recovery in the state’s penal code, a pioneering task of national note. That new retail statutory law (and concept) served as a model for many states. As the years passed we coauthored three books, Shoplifting (1992), Shoplifting…Managing the Problem (2006), and Retail Crime, Security and Loss Prevention, An Encyclopedic Reference (2008).

For a number of years he served as one of three moderators for the NRF’s LPinformation.com discussion forum with a large Internet following of mostly entry-level LP employees airing frustrations, comparing notes, seeking advice, as well as answers to their problems. Christman was deemed an “old salt” and was known as “Mr. C.” He was wise and solid as a rock. You could put your money on his opinions and suggestions.

He was a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and long-time member of ASIS International, and had the distinct privilege of serving as the ASIS chairman of the San Francisco/Bay Area chapter.

John graduated from Muhlenberg College and attended the University of Pennsylvania’s Law School. During the Korean War, he served as a special agent for two federal investigative/intelligence agencies and is a retired commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

It was during that time he met the girl who would be his life partner, Jane Stevens, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Their 60th wedding anniversary was the very day of his death. That perfectly matched couple brought forth a daughter, Lauri, and two sons, Robert and Mark.

John H. Christman

by Robert L. DiLonardo

DiLonardo is a well-known authority on the electronic article surveillance business, the cost justification of security products and services, and retail accounting. He is the principal of Retail Consulting Partners, LLC (retailconsultingllc.com), a firm that provides strategic and tactical guidance in retail security equipment procurement. DiLonardo can be reached at 727-709-6961 or by email at rdilonar@tampabay.rr.com.

The one word to best describe John Christman, the professional man, the private man, and the family man, is—integrity. Integrity is his legacy.

EDITOR’S NOTE: John Christman was featured in LP Magazine’s 2007 “Legends in Loss Prevention” series. Visit the Column section on LPportal.com to read that article. Following are remembrances from fellow loss prevention executives.

Remembering John Christman

“John Christman wore a coat of many colors. He was a loss prevention executive, innovator, mentor, author, and friend. He was active with the NRF advisory council for many years. I believe John was a generous contributor as well as a transitional figure for the loss prevention industry. He will be missed.” Gary Manson, retired Vice President of Loss Prevention, Neiman Marcus

“In my opinion John was one of the all-time top innovators in the loss prevention industry. The programs he had at Macy’s were well ahead of the industry. I looked up to him. If it wasn’t for his political connections and efforts, we would have never gotten the civil recovery laws written in California, which were the first in the nation.”

George Luciano, retired Vice President of Loss Prevention, Petco

“I served with John on the NRF LP advisory council for many years. I recall him being very quick to volunteer for any assignment and to have an expert opinion on issues. After his retirement he remained active in the industry by coauthoring books on retail security and loss prevention. He also could be seen and heard at conferences. He was a gentleman and took pride in mentoring many in the industry. He will be missed and remembered.”

Jim Lee, Executive Editor, LP Magazine

“The loss prevention industry is saddened by the sudden passing of John Christman. He was a distinguished leader in loss prevention and security, serving both the companies where he lead the LP organizations as well as the broader retail industry with his commitment to the NRF LP advisory council, where he served as an advisor for more than a decade. He was a skillful and caring mentor of so many in the LP community and recognized for his contributions to the industry as one of the very first LP executives voted into the NRF’s ring of excellence by his peers in 2007. John continued to serve the industry, providing expert advice to others through the NRF’s “Ask the Experts” online forum. He was a truly dedicated professional.” Richard T. Mellor, Vice President, Loss Prevention, NRF

“I started my career in loss prevention at Macy’s West—Macy’s California back then—when John was the vice president of security. I had the pleasure of working directly with him for over

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