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In a depressing sign that crime is getting wildly out of hand, some store-level Walmart employees are now wearing bodycams similar to those you’d find in law enforcement.

Anyone familiar with Walmart knows that their security measures are tight. Employees already monitor store cameras for suspicious activity, but now a new type of camera is coming to some locations.

A CNBC report on the new measure indicates that at least one store in Denton, Texas has already implemented the use of bodycams.

“An associate checking receipts was seen wearing a yellow-and-black body camera earlier this month, according to a shopper who shared a photo with CNBC,” the outlet noted.

Walmart is tight-lipped about the new security measure, though they did indicate that this is a pilot program they are rolling out in a limited area. Any future implementation will be based on the results of the current test.

“While we don’t talk about the specifics of our security measures, we are always looking at new and innovative technology used across the retail industry,” said a Walmart spokesperson. “This is a pilot we are testing in one market, and we will evaluate the results before making any longer-term decisions.”

While other stores have sought to bring in bodycams as a way to deter sticky-fingered shoppers, Walmart says the devices are more about employee safety than loss prevention.

“In a document titled ‘Providing great customer service while creating a safer environment,’ staff are instructed on how to use the devices, according to a photo of the document posted on an online forum for Walmart employees and customers. It instructs employees to ‘record an event if an interaction with a customer is escalating’ and to not wear the devices in employee break areas and bathrooms,” CNBC reported. “After an incident occurs, staffers are told, they are to discuss it with another team member, who can help them log the event in the ‘ethics and compliance app,’ according to the document.”

Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union President Stuart Appelbaum pointed out that customers triggered by holiday stressors tend to become hostile and take their frustrations out on store employees.

“There’s too much harassment that goes on throughout the year, but especially during the holiday season … it’s even worse,” he said. “Everyone is stressed out. If they can’t find the item they’re looking for, they get upset and whom do they blame? They blame the shop worker.”

However, Applebaum, whose union does not represent Walmart workers, claims that bodycams may not help. He insists that employees should be trained to de-escalate situations and how to handle conflict at work.

“Workers need training on de-escalation. Workers need training on what to do during a hostile situation at work. The body camera doesn’t do that. The body camera doesn’t intervene. We need safe staffing and we need panic buttons.”

X users responded to the test program:

Sierra Marlee
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