Barstow police to step up patrols at grocery stores with millions set to lose SNAP benefits

[DBoon]

https://abc7.com/post/barstow-police-step-patrols-grocery-stores-millions-set-lose-snap-benefits/18085283/

BARSTOW, Calif. (KABC) -- Millions of people who receive food assistance will go without benefits next month as the federal government remains shut down, and local leaders are now scrambling to contain the possible fallout.

The Barstow Police Department said in a post on Facebook that it will be stepping up patrols around grocery stores, convenience stores and shopping centers.

Police added that the increased patrols are not in response to a specific incident but are a "preventive measure to maintain public safety, deter theft, and reassure the community that law enforcement is present and ready to help."

Are they afraid of food riots?

[Blues Heron]

1. Must. Guard. Donuts...

[Ocelot II]

2. Will someone get five years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread

per Les Misérables?

[underpants]

3. A component of food programs is crime deterrence

One person is a crime
A few people is an incident
A crowd can turn into a riot and riots grow.

[LoisB]

4. This is sad. It seems to me it would be "better" that people steal food from a store to

feed their hungry children than to snatch some old lady's purse to get money to spend in that store. How many "shoplifters" are going to end up shot by the police who are protecting the store?

[2naSalit]

5. I guess they expect...

Shoplifting to increase?