Page 16 - IAV Digital Magazine #615

iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine
Michigan Judge Wanted Walmart Shoplifters To Wash Cars. His Boss Stepped On The Hose
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVgHH2jD6Bs
By Ed White
DETROIT (AP) — A Michigan judge has thrown cold water on a plan to have Walmart shoplifters wash cars as a con- sequence for their misdemeanor crime.
The unusual sen-
tence came from Judge Jeffrey Clothier, who has been on the 67th District Court in Genesee County for only a few months. He said having shoplifters give free car washes would serve the community and possibly discour-
age other people from stealing from the big retailer.
But Chief Judge William Crawford II overruled him, saying the junior jurist first should have sought approval from him and other court offi- cials.
“This is especially true where the pro- posed alternative punishment deviates from the usual and accepted methods,” Crawford said in a statement Friday, adding that “ ‘Walmart Washes’ will not be taking place as reported.”
Clothier made head- lines in February when he told The Associated Press that he was ordering 75 to 100 store thieves to return to Grand Blanc Township, near Flint, to wash cars for free when spring weather arrives.
He said he had the endorsement of local store managers. But after hearing about the plan, officials at Walmart headquar- ters in Arkansas told him they didn’t want the car washes to be offered on store prop- erty.
Undeterred, the
judge figured he would simply find another site for soap, water, buckets and towels. With Crawford’s order, however, the car wash is finished.
“I’m frustrated,” Clothier said. “I’m still going to try to come up with a creative way to solve this problem. ... I had 37 new Walmart theft offenses two days ago. In the last month, it’s been well over 100.”
Hesaid20to30 judges around Michigan who heard about the car wash had pledged to join the bucket brigade with him and the shoplifters.
Clothier said he is now ordering other types of community service in the Walmart cases instead of car wash- es.
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