While Penn tries to liven up University City by enticing more retail establishments into the area, it may also be attracting an unwanted clientele: petty shoplifters.
Some stores, however, seem to be noticeably more attractive to thieves than others.
An examination of the University Police logbook revealed 17 reported retail thefts for the months of January and February, with Fresh Grocer topping the list of shoplifters' favorite destinations.
The Gap and Ann Taylor were among the stores that did not report any thefts, but this does not necessarily mean that they are crime-free.
Penn Criminology professor Lawrence Sherman said that businesses may choose not to report incidents of theft for fear of casting an unfavorable impression on their store. He added that the value of merchandise taken and a store's surveillance policy are factors that account for unreported retail crimes.
But the fact that some stores are less frequented by shoplifters may also be reflective of marketing strategies. Items placed near entrances and in attractive settings may encourage thieves to make their grab.
"It's a classic battle between security officers and retail marketing executives," Sherman said. "The display of items that is most likely to get someone to buy an item is also very attractive to someone who wants to steal an item."
Several University City retailers have developed their own methods for combating retail theft.
Ann Taylor assistant store manager Mark Ruffin said his employees take a one-on-one customer service approach to deter crime.
"We like to help everyone that walks through the door," he said. "You get to know who the people in the area are."
Other local vendors, such as American Apparel, count on their employees to catch repeat offenders.
The store has reported one incident of theft this year, but manager Kyle Miller said there has been more than a single incident.
Although he reports thefts ranging from $14 to $100, Miller said the likelihood of law enforcement officials responding in a timely matter determines whether store employees notify the police.
For some businesses, location and surrounding structures may also draw unwanted attention.
According to Douglas Parfumerie regional manager Tatiana Maldener, the 3603 Walnut St. store has witnessed an increase in theft since the construction of scaffolding as part of renovations to the nearby Inn at Penn hotel.
"The area's sort of dark and shady," she said.
Maldener added that her store has also seen thieves come back after escaping arrest the first time. Douglas employees recently identified one man who revisited the store two days after running off with five tote bags worth $30 on Feb. 6.
Maldener said that although store employees use different approaches to catch a shoplifter depending on the situation, the concept is always the same.
"My message is, 'Don't steal, because you'll be caught either way,'" she said.
Penn Police Deputy Chief of Investigations Mike Morrin said that while there is no direct correlation between an increase in retail theft and the University's initiative to bring more businesses into the area, an increase in retail establishments naturally provides more opportunities for thieves.
"People will steal when they think the opportunity presents" itself, he said.
