Thieves Snag Tip Jars From Pacifica Businesses

Over the past of couple of months, there have been a number of instances listed in the Pacifica Police blotter of local businesses reporting stolen tip jars. Pacifica Patch has also received inquiries from Pacificans concerned about petty theft at local businesses.

For example, on Jan. 24, 2013, a male wearing a black beanie, black shirt and pants was seen stealing a jar of cash off the front counter of a local business on Linda Mar Boulevard. He left on foot and was never caught.

More recently, on March 7, 2013, $45 in tips was stolen from a business on W. Manor Drive when a male suspect came in and swiped the jar off the counter. He, too, was off before anyone could catch him.

These petty thefts are “crimes that often go unreported, so it could be happening more than we are aware of,” said Captain Daniel Steidle of the Pacifica Police Department.

Still, merchants can protect themselves and their employees from this happening.

“The idea is to make the thief’s target less inviting as this is largely a crime of opportunity,” said Steidle, who recommends:

• placing the tip jar in a place that is readily visible to employees

“I have often seen them in front of cash registers or in front of displays on counters which would make them difficult to see,” he said.

• emptying the jar frequently 

“I have seen many cases in my patronization of local businesses where the tip jar is overflowing with cash, which makes it even more inviting,” he said. 

Other ideas include:

• affixing a difficult, to remove top, with a slatted opening, to the tip container

• securing the tip jar to the counter so that it cannot be removed

Keep up with local news — follow Patch!

Sign up for Pacifica Patch’s daily newsletter
"Like” us on Facebook
"Follow” us on Twitter

 
Want to share your opinions with the Pacifica community? Start your own blog here.