With the constant flow of college students and visitors in downtown State College, many stores have problems with shoplifting.

Though it can be difficult for a business to stop the problem, many stores in the downtown area take measures to prevent theft.

Mr. Charles Shops Inc., 228 E. College Ave., tags all its clothes with sensors that will set off an alarm at the door of the store if someone tries to exit the store with merchandise that hasn't been paid for, manager Veronica Burk said.

Because fitting rooms are the most common place for theft, the store limits how many items a person can try on at one time, she said.

Another precaution is that bags of any type are not allowed to be taken into the rooms, Burk said.

Also, store employees are trained to pay attention to customers, both to assist them and to prevent them from stealing merchandise, she added.

"That's the only way to [prevent theft]," Burk said.

There is no way, however, to entirely prevent shoplifting, she said. The most important thing businesses can do to prevent theft is to prosecute those who are caught, Burk said.

"If you don't punish people, then the crime goes on," she said.

Grace Mehalick, manager of McLanahan Student Store, 414 E. College Ave., also said that it is important to take measures to prevent shoplifting and to prosecute anyone who is stealing.

Like Mr. Charles Shops, McLanahan's uses sensors and detectors to deter crime and catch shoplifters, Mehalick said.

The store also has security cameras and guards to monitor the store, she said.

McLanahan's will prosecute anyone caught shoplifting in the store, Mehalick added.

Being caught shoplifting can be a problem for people, said State College Police Department officer Anthony Lopinsky.

Depending on the cost of the stolen item and how many offenses the person has, penalties can include fines or jail time, he said.

Regardless of what was stolen, any shoplifting offense goes on a person's record permanently as a misdemeanor or a felony, Lopinsky added.

Shoplifting can be very expensive for a person who has been caught, Lopinsky said.

There is a fine, court costs and, in some cases, shoplifters must pay back the amount of the stolen merchandise, he added.

In 2001, State College police caught and charged about five shoplifters per week, Lopinsky said.