Some T.J. Maxx employees to wear body cameras in effort to curb theft

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Body cameras are coming to some T.J. Maxx stores to help stop shoplifters. Several locations in Middle Tennessee have posted loss prevention jobs that said that employees would wear body cameras.

It acts as an added layer of security in place at stores owned by TJX, the company over retail brands like T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods. Officials announced that some employees will now wear police-like body cameras. The move comes in an effort to tamp down on theft and it’s creating mixed reactions from shoppers.

“You know how the world is now. People take things they shouldn’t take and it costs us more, so I think it would be a good idea,” said Linda Hopkins, who shops at T.J. Maxx at least two times a week.

“I think there are too many cameras everywhere and if they’re worried about theft, I understand that, but why would they be on the body,” said Brad Feffer, who accompanied his wife to the Mt. Juliet T.J. Maxx location Wednesday morning.

Shoppers like Katrina Jeffreys told News 2 the change is not welcome.

“It feels weird, especially if you don’t know that they’re wearing them. Then you feel like someone’s watching you and recording you without your knowledge. It’s odd,” Jeffreys said.

Body cameras are now being worn by some loss prevention associates who have gone through training on how to use them. It’s a position that store locations in Madison, Brentwood and Nashville at Opry Mills are currently hiring for. The requirement for body-worn camera equipment is in the description for those jobs posted.

“I’m familiar with the body cameras being retired police I get it, so it’s worth a try,” said retired New York Police Department (NYPD) officer Bill Kenna.

News 2 reached out to TJX for comment on the move. Officials sent the following statement:

“At TJX, the safety of our Associates and our customers is always a top priority. Over the past year, we have begun use of body cameras in certain stores across our U.S. retail brands. Body cameras are currently used by certain Loss Prevention Associates, who have gone through thorough training on how to use the cameras effectively in their roles. Video footage is only shared upon request by law enforcement or in response to a subpoena. Body cameras are just one of the many ways that we work to support a safe store environment. This includes a variety of policies, trainings, and procedures. We hope that these body cameras will help us de-escalate incidents, deter crime, and demonstrate to our Associates and customers that we take safety in our stores seriously.”

“It’s an unfortunate, necessary thing apparently. They’re trying to protect their investment and their employees, I get it,” said Melissa Baylock, who told News 2 she goes to TJX stores every Saturday.

Other shoppers, like Catherine Dupree, told News 2 that she may decide to shop elsewhere after learning about the change.

“It kind of seems like a violation of privacy for the shoppers,” Dupree said. “Especially since you don’t pay to go there, I don’t get why they have the need to put body cameras on.”