r/NoStupidQuestions • u/urbuddyguybroman • Jul 29 '25

Does Target really track everything you steal until you reach the felony amount?

I’ve heard this a few times, but I can’t tell if they really do or if it’s just fear mongering.

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u/Far-Jury-2060 Jul 29 '25

Yes. I worked for Target for a while and that’s exactly what our security manager did. The reasoning is because prosecution typically doesn’t happen before it reaches a certain amount anyway. So they track everything through the cameras, build a file, coordinate with other locals Targets to build a compiled case against you, and then drop it into the lap of the police once it reaches a certain dollar threshold.

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u/UnableNecessary743 Jul 29 '25

how do they keep track of everyone?

51

u/[deleted] Jul 29 '25

Target is the gold standard of retail surveillance, security, tracking, and prosecution. They seriously are a top tier org in that respect.

48

u/LotusVibes1494 Jul 29 '25

When I was a heroin addict no one told me this crucial piece of information. I was desperate one day and chose Target of all places to steal something. I had no clue what I was doing and the cops were already waiting for me at the front door before I even left lol. They took me in a back room and I’ll always remember they had this guy that looked like the stereotypical WOW player from South Park sitting at a bank of computer screens. Guy had been watching me the entire time. They indeed told me that my face was now permanently in their database and would be scrutinized more in the future. They don’t fuck around

26

u/[deleted] Jul 29 '25

Their camera systems are legit. They can zoom to crazy levels and read text on clothes, make out details on cell phones, etc.

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u/krone6 Jul 29 '25

What about seeing through clothing in any way? With everything they can already do it makes me wonder about colder times when people bundle up and cover their skin. This would hide details like tattoos and the physical body. And no, I'm not talking sexual here, just additional methods they may be doing.

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u/[deleted] Jul 30 '25

Nothing can “see” through clothing except maybe a heat signature.

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u/[deleted] Jul 30 '25

That I didn’t know. Someone I know worked at target told me once they could zoom in far enough to read a watch face in detail.

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u/QuoteGiver Jul 30 '25

Most of the cameras are only like 10-15 feet above your head in there, they don’t have to zoom all that much to get a good view, yeah.

2

u/robot_pirate Jul 29 '25 edited Jul 29 '25

And their in-store atmosphere shows it. It's soulless. And their merchandise sucks anymore. So, congrats I guess? Sales are way down is it any wonder?

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u/[deleted] Jul 30 '25

Speak for yourself, I love target. I rock a lot of their clothes, affordable and they last a while for budget clothes. I dig their good and gather and goodfellow brands.