The catalystPage 4 of 4 -- CVS spokesman Todd Andrews said his company's policy -- spelled out to new employees through video and written materials during orientation -- "specifically says not to confront or pursue shoplifters." Andrews said two company investigations at the Longwood store following Cristian's death found that employees there "were clearly aware that it was against company policy to pursue shoplifters."
Saab says employees nonetheless felt pressure to apprehend shoplifters. She cites a sign in the store indicating that "Shoplifters cost us money" and the fact that store managers' bonuses are tied to financial performance. Andrews says the sign is meant as a deterrent to shoplifters, not a suggestion that employees should confront them. He denied that managerial bonuses are a factor, saying that shoplifting makes up a small percentage of the losses that stores experience in any case. As to why no security guard was stationed at the store, Andrews said CVS has guards in "high-crime-risk" areas and stores, and the Longwood store was not in that category. "There's simply no way to bring sense to Cristian's death," Andrews says. "We understand that nothing is going to make the sense of loss felt by Cristian's family any less. Cristian was a young man of outstanding character who saw someone taking something from the store and wanted to take action. We very much regret that he was killed."
Policy discussions
A similar policy applies at Lieutenant Kevin Foley, a spokesman for the Boston Police Department, said the question of how to deal with shoplifters is "purely an individual or corporate decision within the store." As for Saab, she is hoping CVS will set aside some funds for more rigorous training of employees on workplace safety and for prevention efforts. She has also retained an attorney, Naomi Shelton, who says she is gathering facts on the case and hoping the company will enter a "cooperative effort" in scrutinizing its workplace policies. Asked whether she plans to file a lawsuit, Shelton replies that "pretty much any legal action is a possibility right now." But no amount of legal action will help Saab with the challenge of getting through each day. That part, she knows, is up to her. "I'm in a journey," she says. "I have to learn how to love a dead son."
Don Aucoin can be reached at aucoin@globe.com. © Copyright 2004 Globe Newspaper Company.
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