“removed 80% of the trash cans..all of the outside benches..many of the inside benches..all electrical outlets..and they’ve increase the number of intrusive cameras..although I’m not sure why because they don’t have anyone arrested for stealing”
These are related—because if you cannot detain shop-lifters for police arrest then you have no choice but to try to make it as inconvenient as possible for them to “hang around” the store.
Each store is different so different tactics may have varying rates of success—but the perfect is always the enemy of the good.
Cameras are a deterrent for some people—because they can be used by LEO to track people with outstanding warrants (for example).
I get kind of get it.
Some of it is the bad apple syndrome.
Not sure anything can actually be done about it.
Unfortunately it is often the innocent people that are inconvenienced..or pay more.