I see this same line of thinking in other comments. People shoplifting expensive items on a regular basis are usually trying to pay for illegal and frankly dangerous drugs, past or near future use. If it’s past, it’s entirely possible they are also prostituted and trapped in an endless debt cycle. If they get caught their “body guard” (pimp) may or not post bail, but either way, some sort of additional monetary charge will be added. I’m really not sure what the answer to this capitalist hell is beyond:
If it’s a small amount of food occasionally, you saw nothing. Beyond that, whether or not intervention will break the cycle and have a positive effect for the individual is a craps shoot on too many unknown variables to predict.
I see this same line of thinking in other comments. People shoplifting expensive items on a regular basis are usually trying to pay for illegal and frankly dangerous drugs, past or near future use. If it’s past, it’s entirely possible they are also prostituted and trapped in an endless debt cycle. If they get caught their “body guard” (pimp) may or not post bail, but either way, some sort of additional monetary charge will be added. I’m really not sure what the answer to this capitalist hell is beyond:
If it’s a small amount of food occasionally, you saw nothing. Beyond that, whether or not intervention will break the cycle and have a positive effect for the individual is a craps shoot on too many unknown variables to predict.