Kids Stealing Candy From Target, Selling It at Nearby Stores for Profit
OSHTEMO TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A new ordinance in Oshtemo Township aims to stop a growing problem in the community: unauthorized candy sales by youth.
Local officials describe what has become a serious issue where kids are stealing boxes of candy from one store, transporting them to a nearby store, and selling them for significant profit.
"Target will call and say, 'the candy boys are here!'" said Township Attorney Jim Porter during a recent meeting. "The stores are saying, 'please, for the love of God and all that's holy, will you put a stop to this? It's terrible,' they're losing a lot."
According to Township Attorney Jim Porter, these kids can make up to $90 per box.
Law Enforcement Had No Authority to Intervene
Although local law enforcement was aware of the problem, their hands were tied because the kids weren't necessarily violating any ordinance or state law.
"In order to take action, there would have to be probable cause to a violation of an ordinance or state law," Porter explained. "And in this case, they weren't necessarily violating anything."
The township has now approved ordinance amendments that require "anyone selling goods outside commercial establishments to either be a registered charitable organization or hold a township-issued Hawkers and Peddlers license."
Parents Helping Kids Transport Candy
The situation has gotten so bad that some parents are helping their children transport the stolen candy from one store to another.
"The stores are saying, 'please, for the love of God and all that's holy, will you put a stop to this? It's terrible,' they're losing a lot," Porter said.
New Ordinance Gives Police Clear Authority
The amendments are designed to give police clear authority to verify lawful sales and take action when necessary.
"What that will allow our officers to do is when they approach these youths to say, 'do you have a license? No. Is your organization registered? No. You are in violation of a local ordinance,'" Porter said.
Goal Is Not to Impede Charitable Sales
Officials noted that their goal is not to impede charitable fundraising or legitimate peddling activities.
The ordinance specifically targets unauthorized sales where kids are essentially shoplifting candy from one store and reselling it at another store for profit.
Community Response
The township is now working to implement the new ordinance and educate law enforcement on how to enforce it properly.
Oshtemo Township officials are confronting what they call a serious problem in their community, with candy theft and unauthorized sales becoming increasingly common.
What Residents Can Do
Residents who witness these unauthorized sales are encouraged to report them to law enforcement.
The township is committed to protecting local businesses and ensuring that youth are not exploiting loopholes in the law to generate illegal profit.