Pee• 14 Portland ObHrver November 22. 1979
SHOPLIFTING IS STEALING.
• •
I
I
Oregon Law provides a civil penalty of
at least $100 plus criminal prosecution.
The 1979 Oregon Legislature enacted a new civil
procedure and penalties statute which enables
retail mer~hants to recover mo~etary pe_nalties
from shophfters and parents of minor shoplifters .
the stolen merchandise, whether or not recov-
ered , up to a maximum of $500 ($250 for parents).
3 _ An Additional Penalty. In the amount of not
less than $lOO nor more than $250.
The law allows the merchant to recover:
1
This law became effective Oct. 3, 1979. It does not
replace th& criminal statute which designates
1. Actual Damages. In the amount of the retail most shoplifting as class-A misdemeanors, pun-
value of the stolen items if they are not re- ishable by fines of up to $1,000 and imprisonment ,
covered. In the amount of damages to the items if for not longer than one year.
recovered.
Shoplifters now risk both civil and criminal action.
2. A Penalty. In the amount of the retail value of Both laws are now in force in Oregon.
1
. .. ..
Shoplifting is an $80 million-a-year crime in Oregon
and shoplifters cause prices to go up by stealing items
that eventually are paid for by the customers.
i
COURTESY OF
•
Portland Police Bureau Crime Prevention Division
B. A. Baker
Chief of Police
Albina Ministerial Alliance
Charles Jordan
Commisaioner of
Public Safety
The Portland Observer