Staten Island Mall ads showing shoplifters' faces get cheers and jeers

nydailynews ^ | 11.25.08 | MIKE JACCARINO

[Coleus]

 

Buyer beware! Or in this case, booster beware. Staten Island Mall is posting faces of shoplifters on video terminals.   Slapping the faces of convicted shoplifters on video terminals in the Staten Island Mall is a big hit - or not, depending on who you ask."I think it's fabulous," said Dan Ozimek, a 62-year-old mall shopper. "If you want to do something wrong, you should be prepared to have your face on a screen." "I think it's unfair because people should be forgiven," countered Jason Harr, 24. "People make mistakes and shouldn't have their faces publicized for stealing, say, a small item."

RELATED: MUG SHOTS ROAST SHOPLIFTERS ON MALL SCREENS

The Staten Island district attorney's Office began running the 15-second ads on 11 video terminals throughout the mall last week. It features the mug shots of five unidentified convicted shoplifters - all of whom struck at least once at the mall. Some people thought the ads would not deter chronic shoplifters. "If that's what they do, that's what they do," said Niketra Bullock, 31. "They don't care about a picture."

Michele Sarmiento, 29, said she didn't think it was fair. "It's crazy. It's embarrassing," she said. "In one sense, they broke the law, but in another sense it's very demeaning. It's like 'The Scarlet Letter.'" The district attorney's office said none of the five people featured in the ad has called to complain.  Some store owners like the idea - especially since a survey showed shoplifting arrests were up 9% last year compared with 2006.  "I think it's a good idea - especially around the holidays," said Dominique Masseria, a Steve Madden shopkeeper. "If the people on the ad come in the store, I know to keep an eye on them."  The ads will run through Dec. 31.

[mlocher]

Michele Sarmiento, 29, said she didn't think it was fair. "It's crazy. It's embarrassing," she said. "In one sense, they broke the law, but in another sense it's very demeaning. It's like 'The Scarlet Letter.'"

It is attitudes like this throughout society that encourage shoplifting. A crime is a crime and criminals should be treated accordingly.

[max americana]

>>countered Jason Harr, 24. “People make mistakes and shouldn’t have their faces publicized for stealing, say, a small item.”

Must be a Dem ACORN volunteer if he thinks that stealing is acceptable.

[Coleus]

It is attitudes like this throughout society that encourage shoplifting >>

we all have to pay higher prices because of it and employee thefts too.

[lymelady]

A crime is a crime is a crime. Doesn’t matter if you steal a tube of chapstick, it’s still stealing.

Yeah, it is Christian to forgive people who are truly sorry and ask for forgiveness, but that doesn’t change that the crime happened and they still have to pay for it. If they were truly repentant, they’d fess up, make reparations, and go to jail willingly if charges are pressed.

I think it’s a great idea.

[cetarist]

I’m betting she’s never read The Scarlet Letter!!!

[Larry Lucido]

"I'm old. I was confused!"

[Tainan]

Hey...I’m surprised she was able to make the “Scarlet Letter” analogy.

[The Anti-One]

I personally think it's a good idea however, in the mind of a criminal this could be seen as a badge of honor and encourage more criminals to get caught shoplifting.

Just a thought.

[TheRealDBear]

"If that's what they do, that's what they do," said Niketra Bullock, 31. "They don't care about a picture."

Judging by everything you hear about MySpace, she may be right.

[Othniel]

Probably just saw the movie. Or read the comic.