Witness to a brazen, unimpeded shoplifting

One evening earlier this month, I witnessed large-scale, organized shoplifting at my local Lowe’s store as two thieves completely filled two shopping carts with expensive tools and simply walked out.

The poor clerk screamed at them to stop, tried to get help, and then grabbed a phone to call a boss. I heard this “boss” say, “Let them go. There’s nothing we can do.”

The thieves calmly pushed the shopping carts across the parking lot, loaded everything up into a brand new-looking white truck and slowly drove away with their lights off.

The clerk said it happens all the time. No one ever tries to stop them anymore. The crooks know to arrive at almost closing time when they’re already short-staffed. But when did we start allowing criminals to decide what they will and won’t pay for?

Most reasonable people realize that without law and order, society breaks down. But if that’s too broad, try this: Why would I want to patronize a store that allows/encourages theft? How is an honest customer safe in such an environment? And we’ll get to pay higher prices to make up for the thefts too, right?

It’s just so backward. Are we still more concerned about the criminals’ rights these days? If people aren’t raised to respect the law and are never made accountable, what happens next? Make no mistake – if the emboldened criminals are allowed to thrive, it will eventually affect you and your family, too.

Ken Ott, Aurora

All alcohol use isn’t detrimental

Re: “Alcohol deaths soar 60% in just 4 years,” “State alcohol taxes low, deaths high,” ” Alcohol access grows,” “People struggle to get the help they need for alcohol addiction,” Denver Post special report, Jan. 7-10

I want to make a commentary on the articles and the consistent echo chamber of the evils of alcohol. While there are always discussions of public health, costs, and the human cost in lives, the publication has focused on the social ills and cost of alcohol while simultaneously comparing it to fentanyl.

As a veteran of the alcohol industry (sales, restaurants, hospitality), it must be said that this industry is a business that provides a huge number of jobs to people from the production, wholesale, and sale of alcohol. The tax revenue is something that the state is asking for and collecting; also, extolling the virtues of complete sobriety takes us to neo-prohibitionism. If this is what your publication is advocating and persuading (not a free choice), please make this known.

Mine and many others’ incomes are counting on tourism, hospitality, and the idea that food and (wine) can culturally go together, and that doesn’t mean drinking is exclusively for alcoholics. We’ve made a choice to enjoy our lives and determine that life can be enjoyable with alcohol. I hope the idea of these articles isn’t to persuade and pontificate but to inform. If it is to inform, please balance accordingly.