Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Midwestern chain hiring own armed security force to deal with theft

The company says its goal is to create a consistent look for the security team

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Tuesday 04 January 2022 07:25 EST
Comments
File: A sign advertising jobs outside a Hy-Vee grocery store in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A company representative told The Independent that recruitment for the security force was by a ‘select process’ and not by open interview.
File: A sign advertising jobs outside a Hy-Vee grocery store in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A company representative told The Independent that recruitment for the security force was by a ‘select process’ and not by open interview. (AP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A midwestern grocery chain has introduced its own in-house armed security team to act as a “visual deterrent” and manage in-store disturbances in a bid to curb retail theft.

Hy-Vee, in a statement last week, said it would hire its own in-house retail security team after working with third-party security contractors or off duty law enforcement for a long time.

“The goal with this team is to create a consistent look for the security team and consistent approach to customer service and security across all of stores,” it said.

Jamie Sipes, Hy-Vee’s head of security, told NBC-affiliated news network KY3 that “we are really a visual deterrent to criminal activity and violence.”

“We’re there to be an extension of our legendary customer service within Hy-Vee to ensure the safety of our customers and our employees,” Mr Sipes added.

The security team, consisting mostly of former law enforcement officers, will reportedly be armed with tasers and pistols.

Members of the security team will be specially trained to “defuse situations” and “equipped to protect” both customers and employees, the company said.

Some of the members have already been deployed in several stores, while more officers are completing the security training programme.

The Covid pandemic has fuelled shoplifting and organised retail crimes in the US.

According to the National Retail Federation’s “2021 Retail Security Survey”, there was a 57 per cent hike in organised crime and a 50 per cent rise in shoplifting in 2020.

Hy-Vee is present in more than 285 locations across the midwest.

The employee-owned grocery chain is aiming to expand its presence in southern states with new stores likely to open in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Indiana.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in