I'm a store manager and I won't call the cops on you, but please stop stealing my stuff.

I'm a manager at a restaurant, not a retail store, but I've discovered that people steal food from our kitchen just to steal. One guy even stole all the steak knives at brunch. I see people walking out with bread, pastries, various stuff and I just assume they took it. I've tried to stop them and they just have a smug look on their face and say they paid for it or they didn't take it.<br><br>Newsflash: I've worked at this restaurant for 10 years and know what we charge for various stuff and I know what you ordered. I can tell when someone says they paid for something but it's not an item on their check. Also, we have cameras everywhere so it's not like you're being slick about it.<br><br>Other newsflash: I'm not going to call the cops and have you charged just for the principle. It's not worth it for me and I don't want to screw up your life for $10 worth of food. I do have to get creative to get you to pay for it.<br><br>For instance, my procedure is to approach you at the door as you leave and I tell you that I have a few questions for you and I need to scan some stuff. I scan your check and tell you that there's an extra charge for some items. This is what pisses me off. When I see you stuffing stuff in your bag, then I have to have an awkward conversation with you at the door. Just own up to it if you took something.<br><br>For some reason, most of the thieves seem to be from out of town (as tourists) and not locals so I just want to get this out in the universe: Please stop stealing.<br><br>Edit: Wow, I did not expect this to get so many responses. I'm glad someone created a thread in r/confession because I just saw it. I won't go through every single comment, but I want to clarify a few things.<br>- Yes, I could just take the loss and let the stealing go on but my perspective is as a manager and not a corporate person who sees the numbers at the end of the day. I see the day to day theft and it bothers me. I've worked at this restaurant for a decade and it just hits me harder because I put my heart and soul into it.<br><br>- I understand that people are going through a hard time. I can't say that I have a suggestion besides reaching out to local food banks for help. I'm also not able to give away our food for free to every person that comes through the door because it's too unpredictable.<br><br>- I've read a lot of the comments about how I'm an asshole for making someone pay for their food or calling the cops. In my restaurant, if someone doesn't have enough money to pay for their food, then I'll let them go without calling the cops. I just ask them to never come back. I will, however, call the cops if someone is threatening my staff or being violent. I've had situations where people have threatened to shoot my workers and I want to protect them.<br><br>I'm not calling the cops for stealing food but if you become a threat to my workers, then I won't hesitate.<br><br>- I've read through a lot of the confessions on this sub and the confessions thread in this sub. I appreciate those of you who share your various experiences with me, both good and bad. It's been enlightening to see both perspectives and I appreciate it.<br><br>I'm not calling the cops yet.<br><br><br>Edit 2: I'm amazed at the responses to this. I've never had a post blow up like this. I want to say that I've been reading the comments and I'm actually moved by a lot of the stories that I'm reading. I'm going to take them in stride and see what I can do in my situation. I've cried a few times reading some of the stories but I'm going to do my best to implement some changes in my restaurant. We do have a catering menu that is cheaper than our normal menu so I think I can look into using that as an option to help out those in need. <br><br>I just want to repeat that I'm not calling the cops on anyone and I'm not going to screw up someone's life over a few slices of bread. That being said, I do hope that people find it in their hearts to not steal from us.<br><br>I like to think that I'm a good person and I want to make a change so I will.