We like 'stuff' in general and we love our 'stuff' in particular. Property is very big around here.
Also, not to excuse shoplifters but wage theft is a way WAY bigger issue in America than petty theft. But it gets less visibility, it's less visible in general, doesn't make for good TV, doesn't have that 'dystopian I need to buy more ammo' vibe and it can't really be used as a political wedge issue. We made this!
Also, to add the the general thread, I couldn't give two shits about this. We have a heavily militarized police force that looks like it's about to invade a foreign country and people still shoplift. A bunch of rent-a-cops are surely going to drive the shoplifter numbers down, right? It's almost as if the whole stealing thing happens for a different reason..