Most everyone has heard of ABC’s prime-time television show “What Would You Do?”  I figured it would be interesting to write a column on different ethical situations.

This week’s question is:  What would you do if you were witnessing someone shoplifting?  I have personally just gone through this and thought it would be a great start. 

On Sunday, September 2, I was shopping at the Rimrock WalMart.  As I was walking towards the checkout from the back of the store, I witnessed a young man put on a jacket.  He was acting like he was just trying it on.  He then proceeded to walk back to another clothing area while ripping off the tags. 

I watched him as he walked towards the front of the store.  When I realized he was heading towards the exit, I notified the nearest cashier and informed her that he had just taken that jacket off the shelf and ripped off the tags and was walking out.

Due to the morals that were instilled in me, I had to say something.  Because of people doing this quite frequently the prices on things just keep going up.  If we all take a stance and report this when we see it, we can combat shoplifting.

I asked a variety of different students what would they do in this situation. Answers varied from person to person, but what was most noted was they would say something.

Sophomore Madison Bennett said, “I would probably go up to one of the cashiers and let them know that I saw somebody that might be shoplifting and then see what they could do about it.”

Another sophomore, Sage Heffley, said, “I would probably try and confront them first and then go up to a cashier.”

So ask yourself this one question ‘Would you say something or would you just act like you did not see them doing anything?’