Seasons change and years go by, but the same issues that affected teens twenty years ago still have relevance in today’s society. Shoplifting, an activity that was once seen as a taboo in society, is now becoming more mainstream, and theft remains a perennial favorite . According to the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention (NASP), a non-profit organization, approximately 25% of shoplifters are kids, and 89% of kids admit to knowing peers who shoplift.

So what accounts for this perennial issue? Senior Amanda Hickling attributes student shoplifting to the generally rebellious attitude that teens often harbor.

“I believe that shoplifting has become more prevalent in students because they look at it as the latest trend,” Hickling said. “Kids think that they can beat the system and do what they want with no consequences.”

The sad reality, though, is that consequences abound, but manifest themselves differently, and in the end, everyone ends up paying. Businesses lose approximately $16 billion each year to shoplifting, which leads to price increases that cause families to spend an average of $300 to subsidize the losses, according to the Better Business Bureau.

Although shoplifting is regaining prevalence, or at least is being seen as less of a taboo, students don’t believe the administration is really able to curtail the issue.

“I don’t really see how the school system could help decrease shoplifting since [it] doesn’t occur during school,” Hickling said. “I think that shoplifting will just stagnate because it has been an issue that has [occurred] for a long time, not just recently. [At the same time], I feel like no matter what stores do to provide more security, kids will find some way to shoplift. I guess the only thing that can be done is to install more security, but that never guarantees anything.”

Junior Christina Champ cites peer pressure as a main contributor to increased rates of teen theft.

“I think that it’s the basic peer pressure situations that make someone feel as if they have to abide by the obligations of others to be ‘cool’,” Champ said.

Champ believes that if the punishment were harsher for students, they would be deterrred from committing the crimes.

“When a minor shoplifts, really all that is done is that they get escorted home and the parents deal with it,” Champ said. “If people feel they need to address the problem in a better way, then the punishment for shoplifting would have to be something greater.”

But what happens when the stealing occurs on school property? Recent administrative scuffles have occurred that directly involve students’ theft of private property, and it has been made clear that theft is no laughing matter.

Some students believe that in-school theft actually occurs more than shoplifting in a traditional retail setting. “I feel like students steal more from other students than they do from stores,” freshman Courtney Clatterbuck said.

As far as in-school theft, Principal Major Warner notes that the penalties are extremely stiff, and can jeopardize students’ academics in addition to their permanent records. “Theft on school property results in a fairly stiff out-of-school suspension, so it’s simply not worth it,” Warner said.

Even though there are harsh penalties for in-school theft, students assert that there are still people who are willing to risk punishment in order to acquire goods.

“I think that there are just some students that won’t stop no matter what the rules are,” Clatterbuck said. “They don’t fear getting caught or in trouble. A lot of students just look past the disciplinary actions that come with shoplifting.”

Electronics have been cited as items that are most often stolen on school grounds.

“They’re the most expensive, and most teens can’t afford them on their own,” Clatterbuck said.

Unfortunately, in-school theft can sometimes be difficult to detect; there are no real signs to watch for to detect potential thieves. In order for students to protect themselves, they must keep track of their valuables at all times, according to teachers. Journalism adviser Shelly Norden advises that students install tracking devices in their valuable electronics like iPods, cell phones, or Kindles.

Warner hopes to foster mutual respect among students to deter theft and shoplifting rates both on and off school grounds. “Our role is to help students understand that respect for one’s property and space are two things that we value seriously at Kettle Run,” Warner said. “We may not be able to prevent it, but the price to pay for doing so isn’t worth it and I have students tell me that over and over again. When you ...discourage theft, you’re addressing all types.”