With the National Retail Federation reporting unprecedented levels of retail theft, some of the nation’s largest retailers are taking security to a whole new level. Walmart, the No. 1 retailer in the country, has taken action by equipping their employees with body cameras. The pilot program will allow Walmart executives to test out the body cameras to see if there is a reduction in theft. While they won’t talk about the specifics of the new technology, they’re hoping that the body cameras will result in a decrease in both theft and violence. While some blame employees for failing to intervene in acts of in-store theft and violence, attorney Danny Karon says store employees are not police officers. “It’s not their job to put out fires; it’s their job to sell merchandise.” Other retailers that have taken to using body cameras say they have reverse-view monitors so customers can see themselves on a video screen if they approach workers, which can be a very big deterrent against getting violent with employees. Some on social media say the body cameras are overkill and see them as a sign of Walmart's distrust of the public.
