Sticky fingers, lollygagging lead to trouble

Published Aug. 25, 2009
By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Boredom can lead people to find new avenues to expel their energy in positive or negative ways. As the summer weather heats up, the number of juveniles who choose to cure their boredom with delinquent behavior tends to rise.

"Overall, the juvenile offense rate is very low on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base; however, it still exists," said Tech. Sgt. Geoffrey Brooks, 4th Security Forces Squadron NCOIC of police services.

On base incidents involving loitering in construction areas and abandoned homes, along with shoplifting have seen a slight increase. These actions are not being met by members of the 4th SFS with a blind eye.

To combat this, security forces patrolmen are conducting random listening post, observation post and walking patrols through construction sites as well as other areas with abandoned houses, Sergeant Brooks said. "SF patrolmen are also conducting more walking patrols through the base exchange, commissary and shoppette areas."

The BX loss prevention team also has their eyes open for anyone who thinks they can walk out of the store with a way to stifle their boredom they did not pay for.

"There are no dummy cameras here," said Robert McKenzie, BX loss prevention manager. "We're not trying to be sneaky. The cameras are out there where people can see them, not hidden. Several cameras are hard to miss since they are big and bulky."

The BX security system provides a 360 degree color view of the store, the exits and the parking lot. The camera's automatic-focus lenses allow operators to zoom in close enough to clearly view price tags.

The system records 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Mr. McKenzie said. "If you did not get caught the first time it does not mean we have not tagged you. You will get caught."

A defendant's age can play a factor in their punishment when they are caught being delinquent on base.

"A 12 year old won't get in as much trouble as a 16 year old, but both would get in a lot of trouble," said Capt. Chad Evans, 4th Fighter Wing chief of military justice.

Other punishments juveniles may face for delinquent acts on base can range from fines to loss of certain base privileges. In a typical juvenile delinquency incident the youth will be detained and their parent, guardian or sponsor will be contacted. The juvenile will be transported to the 4th SFS where they turned over to the Goldsboro Police Department for further processing.

Dependents who are involved in delinquent acts may also be barred from base, Captain Evans said. "If a dependent gets barred, his or her sponsor may be forced to provide housing off base."

Individuals who are caught shoplifting at the BX will face a $200 fine. If the stolen merchandise can't be recovered or is damaged, they will also have to pay for any lost items. In addition, their Army Air Force Exchange Services privileges can be revoked by the 4th Mission Support Group commander or designee.

Deviant behavior has other consequences as well.

"The exchange puts money back into Morale Welfare and Recreation to entertain servicemembers. If too much merchandise walks out of the door we can't continue doing that," Mr. McKenzie said.

Despite the high-tech camera equipment at the BX, the loss prevention team's primary mission is not to catch shoplifters but to have a presence in and of itself that leads to prevention.

"Our primary job is customer and employee safety," Mr. McKenzie said. "Then we focus on reducing theft."

Likewise, members of the 4th SFS prefer to spend their time preventing delinquencies.

"The men and women of the 4th SFS are dedicated to doing whatever is possible to ensure our juveniles are deterred from committing offenses," Sergeant Brooks said. "The goal and intent of the 4th SFS, in the scope of crime prevention, is to be proactive instead of reactive."