Sometimes one small town can be the microcosm of the big picture. Wouldn’t you agree? Do six arrests per week sound like a lot when it comes to how many arrests cops make at one Wal-Mart store? It sure does to me.

Rio Rancho police were called to arrest shoplifters at the local Wal-Mart an average of six times a week last year. As reported in www.rrobserver.com.

Over the past five years, Rio Rancho has seen a steady increase in shoplifting incidents — most of which end in arrest. Since 2008, the number of incidents spiked by more than 81 percent from 248 shoplifting crimes to 451 in 2012. Is this little berg an example for the rest of the country?

More than $13 billion in merchandise nationally is stolen from retailers each year. Of course, we all pay the price for this thievery. Store owners pass the cost from shoplifting to consumers, who pay more at the register to help retailers make up from losses due to theft.

It is crazy that so many shoplifters target the mega-retailer since the store has in-depth camera security systems, its ability to read license plates and greeters stationed at the front door help combat shoplifting.

How common is shoplifting? One in 11 people in the U.S. has shoplifted.

Shoplifting classes and increased religious training can work together to combat shoplifting before it ever happens.