Shoplifting Hits A Moral Gray Area When Food Is Involved [The Question]

Stealing is stealing, correct?

Yes, but there are times when it’s OK to look the other way, several readers told us in an informal survey for The Question, an exclusive Patch column on etiquette, everyday ethics and what to do in certain situations.

We asked:

• You just saw someone steal. What do you do?
• Would you report someone stealing food if you thought they were hungry?
• Does your answer change if the theft is from a big-box store, a small business or a workplace?

Readers’ responses revealed a strong divide between theft as a clear ethical wrong and theft as a sign of hardship. Their comments show how quickly judgments turn on circumstance. Bread, fruit and lunch meat were treated differently from steaks, luxury items or electronics, and theft from a home or small business drew less sympathy than theft from a large retailer.

Looting Vs. A Piece Of Fruit

The responses put a spotlight on food insecurity issues in every neighborhood in America.

About 48 million Americans, including 14 million children, experience food insecurity, and the problem exists in every U.S. county, according to Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization.

“There’s a big difference between a looter stealing a big-screen TV and a homeless man stealing some fruit,” said Rory, a Reston (Virginia) Patch reader. “I’ll report the former to the police, but I’ll buy the latter some food.”

Is This ‘A Good Decision?’

Almost without exception, respondents said they would not report a shoplifter seen pilfering basic food items, and most said they’d offer to buy them groceries or a meal.

“Expensive item, report it; food item, offer to pay for it. Kid stealing, ask youth if they’re making a good decision, then if needed, report it,” said Stephanie, a Vienna, Virginia, resident who reads Oakton Patch, Vienna Patch and Dunn Loring Patch AM.

Stephanie said that if the person was stealing food, she would “offer to pay for it and offer to buy more food.”

When it comes to people who shoplift food, “it depends on why they are stealing,” said Lawrenceville (Georgia) Patch reader Donna.

“If it is a non-essential luxury or expensive grocery item, like steaks or pastries, I would definitely report it,” Donna said. “If it is luncheon meat, fruit, or bread, I probably would not.”

It also depends on whether the person stole a few or “a lot of items.” In the case of the latter, “I would report it,” she said.

No Reason For Hunger In U.S.

Bella, a Virginia Patch reader, questioned the ethics of policies over the decades that have failed to adequately tackle food insecurity.

“There’s just absolutely no reason why people in America should be starving if we are truly ‘the greatest nation on earth,’” Bella said.

“America has its priorities absolutely screwed up. If the people want to do something to help themselves, start by demanding our own people be taken care of first and foremost, so that no one’s living on the street and no one is forced to steal food in the so-called greatest country in the world,” Bella said.

Report It; No Exceptions

Cumming (Georgia) Patch reader Valpatch is an absolutist. No matter what the circumstance, whether a hungry person pilfering food or someone slipping electronics into their bag, Valpatch would report it.

“People need to realize theft raises prices for the rest of society,” the reader said.

West Islip (New York) Patch reader Jean has similar convictions.

“Ethics matter in a decent society,” Jean said. “There are always food banks for those in need. No excuse to steal.”

Are Big Corporations Fair Game?

Some respondents argued that big companies overcharge customers or that institutions have treated ordinary people unfairly, making theft from them seem less morally clear.

That was a minority view, but it surfaced often enough to show that some people weigh the conduct and power of the victim alongside the act of stealing itself.

Smithtown (New York) Patch reader Pete said he would report shoplifting incidents involving consumer goods to store management but would be unlikely to report a food theft.

“Stores steal from customers by overcharging,” Pete said.

Bella linked her lack of sympathy for corporations and government to broader economic and political grievances.

“I don’t have any sympathy for government entities or corporations at this point, and I don’t think anybody else does either,” Bella said. “They’ve all been screwing over the American taxpayers egregiously for the last 80 years, and that’s all I can say about that.”

Josh, a New York City Patch reader, said he’d mind his own business in most circumstances. If he saw someone swiping something to eat, he’d offer to buy groceries.

“I'd for sure tell a local business owner what I saw,” Josh said. “I might report it to a big-box store if it were an expensive item.”

He added, “Doesn't everyone steal office pens?”

‘Mind Your Own Business’

Some readers said they would only make a report or 911 call if the theft involved personal property or involved force.

“A bank robbery, yeah, I would probably report that,” said Bella, the Vienna, Virginia, reader. “Stealing from someone’s home, definitely. But stealing food at a grocery store, it depends,” Bella said. “There are a lot of people going through hard times out there.”

“Stealing someone’s purse or a robbery? I would get involved,” said John, a Wilmington (Massachusetts) Patch reader.

Barnstable-Hyannis (Massachusetts) Patch reader Emma also said she’s inclined to stay out of it, “unless it’s at someone’s home.”

Then, she said, “I’d potentially tell the homeowner.”

“Mind your own business,” said Massachusetts Patch reader Lucy. “You don’t know the circumstances.”

Long Island (New York) Patch reader Lee would “call the police,” no matter the theft, outside one that was hunger-related.

“Don’t steal,” Lee said.

About The Question

The Question is an exclusive Patch series posing a broad array of questions on etiquette and what to do in certain situations — and readers provide the answers. If you have a topic you’d like us to consider, email beth.dalbey@patch.com with “The Question” as the subject line.

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