Local officers can handle shoplifters

Editor,

I read your article in the Leader regarding the Wal-Mart impact study submitted to the last Polson City Council meeting. Of interest were the remarks by Carolyn Beecher, a leading member of Lake County First, regarding shoplifting and the ability of local law enforcement to cope with it.

It would appear Ms. Beecher has a problem with Wal-Mart's efforts to prevent or control shoplifting in their stores and questions whether the Polson police are up to the task the increased call volume might subject them to. I would submit to Ms. Beecher that the Polson Police Dept. is well manned, professionally run and led by an experienced chief second to none in Montana, and is up to any increased activity which might occur, as are the other law enforcement entities in the County.

The last I knew shoplifting was still a crime, inflicting serious financial losses on those merchants suffering from it along with their clients who must ultimately pay for it. LCF faults Wal-Mart for its opposition to and fight against shoplifting and implies that a new Wal-Mart will result in a new type of shoplifter coming into the area — possibly one of a higher caliber, better trained in their profession and more professional. One which with the above attributes will overwhelm our local authorities. Maybe so, but I seriously doubt it. Heck, if nothing else the local shoplifters will want to protect their turf.

Lake County First should to stick to their original plan of Wal-Mart bashing, not stray too far afield and stop tilting at windmills.

Tom Ryan

Polson