A Michigan judge has introduced a unique form of community service for individuals convicted of shoplifting from Walmart.
Those caught stealing will be required to wash cars in the Walmart parking lot in Grand Blanc Township when the weather warms up this spring.
Judge Jeffrey Clothier, recently elected to Genesee County District Court, hopes this alternative sentencing will discourage retail theft and offer a positive outcome for the community.
The free car washes, scheduled for weekends in March and April, are intended to hold offenders accountable while benefiting shoppers who may face higher prices or store closures as a result of theft.
“I don’t think everybody that steals is a bad person. Sometimes people are just down on their luck. But there’s going to be consequences when you break the law,” Clothier said.
The judge began ordering the community service sentences this week for misdemeanor shoplifting offenders at the Walmart location, located about 50 miles north of Detroit.
Clothier anticipates that 75 to 100 individuals will be assigned to the car wash events over the coming months.
Walmart has agreed to provide the water and cleaning materials for the service, although the company has not publicly commented on the initiative.
Clothier, who was surprised by the volume of retail theft cases on his docket, described the issue as widespread
“It’s just crazy,” he remarked, noting that on one occasion, 48 shoplifting cases were on his calendar in a single day.
The judge believes that the public nature of the punishment will provide a strong deterrent. “I think it will be humiliating to be out there washing cars if you see someone you know,” Clothier said.
Clothier will also take part in the car-washing events alongside the offenders.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
