A South Carolina store is taking a positive approach to curbing teenage shoplifters. According to the NY Post, the President of Palmetto Moon in Haywood Mall chose to hire two teenage boys who went stealing in the store instead of pressing charges.
Palmetto Moon president Amber Dube took the opportunity to teach two teenage boys a life lesson after they were caught stealing from her store on March 13.
“I think this is a situation where teenagers do stupid things, and we know that,”
Dube told FOX Carolina.
Dube said she worked closely with the teen’s parents to come up with alternatives for them to pay their debt. As a result, the boys will work for Palmetto Moon.
“So I think it’s important for us to think about what they did and really judge on the merits of who they are and what they can contribute back to the community,”
she said.
The boys reportedly apologized and returned the stolen items to the store. Dube said her goal is to teach the kids how hard employees work to prepare the store for customers.
“We wanted to make sure that they learned a lesson, and they were held accountable for their actions, and felt that this was the best way for them to learn their lesson and also to give back to the community.”
The earnings that they receive from working at the store will be donated to the Greenville Police Department, according to the Post. They will also do volunteer hours for the company.
“I’m hoping that this message is really resonating with the community to say, we’re all in this together, and we can make our communities much better and more positive,”
Dube said.
#Clique, what are your thoughts?
