Mercer’s Auxiliary Services sent out a school-wide email on Monday reminding its recipients that shoplifting is a crime and that any potential violations could be referred to authorities, alerting many Mercer students to the reality that shoplifitng is becoming an issue on campus.
When asked about the email, Ken Boyer, associate vice president of Auxiliary Services, said that he could not comment on “ongoing criminal investigations.”
“We are actively partnering with the administration, Mercer Police and other campus allies to tackle the recent surge in theft across all our campus units,” Boyer said in an email to The Cluster.
The theft to which Boyer is referring occurs at on-campus stores like Provisions On Demand (POD) locations in the Connell Student Center and the University Center, which are monitored by security cameras. Recently, dining services workers have been seen sitting in the PODs, apparently to reduce theft during the day. Additionally, signage has been posted in the PODs with the message, “Shop Lifting is a Crime.”
Older students will remember that 24-hour self-service PODs are a newer addition to campus, and POD were originally ran by campus staff, who would assist students with purchases.
Under Georgia law, theft of merchandise valued under $500 carries a misdemeanor charge for the first infraction.
“Our commitment is to provide cost-effective services for our law-abiding customers. As part of this commitment, we take proactive measures to maintain the integrity and safety of our locations,” Boyer said in the email.
Gabriel Kopp '26 is majoring in Journalism and Law and Public Policy at Mercer University. He has written for The Cluster since he started at Mercer, and currently works as co-Editor-in-Chief. When he isn't studying, he enjoys going for runs and reading The New York Times or the AJC while sipping coffee.
