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Clean Environment or Clean Get-a-way? Stores Concerned Austin's Bag Ban May Increase Shoplifting

Clean Environment or Clean Get-a-way?  Stores Concerned Austin's Bag Ban May Increase Shoplifting

Austin's bag ban has begun. Most single-use plastic bags are now history in Austin.  But does the bag ban actually make it easier for shoplifters to steal from stores?

The concern is with no bag given at checkout and customers just walking out with merchandise in their hand, it makes it easier for shoplifters to go unnoticed.

The ban is supposed to make for a cleaner environment, but does it just make for a cleaner getaway?

At Parts and Labour, a boutique shop on South Congress, plastic bags are not an option for customers. Instead, customers can buy a paper bag for a $1 donation to Austin Pets Alive, or they can go without a bag.

"I've already had customers today like, I'll just stuff it in my purse," said Bri Weadock, a Parts and Labour employee.

Merchandise stuffed in purses or just carried out, either way it's hard to tell who's paid and who hasn't.

Employees at Parts and Labour say they're keeping an eye on customers and hope they don't see an uptick in thefts.

"I don't think it will encourage any shoplifting, at least I hope not," said Weadock.

It's the same cautious optimism at Best Buy.

"It used to be okay, they've got a bag they'll be good to go. If someone is walking out, as long as we can see the receipt in their hand, it's pretty safe to assume they've paid," said Brian Kinsella, a Best Buy employee.

With bags no longer offered at Best Buy checkout counters, many customers just walk out with merchandise in hand.

"It's going to take some getting used to," said Kinsella.

But Kinsella says Best Buy already has good security in place, with greeters at front doors, security cameras around the store and sensors on most merchandise.   

Both stores say they'll see how customers react to the bag ban before making any changes, and are hoping the ban doesn't have any unintended consequences.