Dick's Sporting Goods review: Racial profiling

Friday about 11/03/2023 at 209 pm texas time. I am a rewards member and at dicks and shop there often but this time was different. I walked in started looking at Nike pants, picked up one article, reached inside the garment to check price tags because they are not on the outside and there are no signs on any racks how much anything cost. After about 3-4 minutes I noticed 2 Hispanic males walk past me like within 2-3 feet. Then they walked past me again. I was only shopper in Nike area at the time until these two mid 25-30 yr old guys came in area. They were not shopping they were watching me, had me under surveillance, they circled me like sharks in a feeding frenzy. Then one of the males who had on a baseball hat walk right up to me within a few feet and stop and just stared at me for a few seconds. I was very uncomfortable at this point. I now wondering if they are casing me for robbery or jugging . I don’t know but I did see dicks employees walking around and never asked them if they needed help,

So I quickly confirmed they were loss prevention who targeted me because I was black. I didn’t do anything wrong I wasn’t acting suspicious. I was just shopping. Now other white shoppers were in the store, but these two guys just swarmed around me and would not leave. One took a position by the exit door the other on was opposite me in a controlled attempt to prevent me from escaping if I stole something. It was the most uncomfortable feeling I have ever experienced. No shopper should be subject to that. It was an attempt by this store and there loss prevention to make me feel uncomfortable about being in the store and force me to leave in which I quickly made a purchase and left. I was still being watched as I was at the register, both loss prevention guys were texting on there cell phones to each other as their position changed. One exited the store while I was checking out, one stayed in. When I went to my car the guy was outside hiding because I didn’t see him and no cars left the parking area. That was retail racial profiling no doubt. I know they have a problem with theft in that store, from watching the news. And I guess the actors are black because I was immediately Under surveillance after entering the store. There are not a lot of black people in New Braunfels, but I have lived here since 2011. I’ve shopped in this store on and off over 3-5 yrs mostly on line. Due to all the harassment in the store people follow you around ask you 10 times if you need help omg it’s really a battle.

I’ve never felt so uncomfortable in a store as Dicks in new braunfels. I don’t think they want black people in this store. No one has the right to make anyone feel like they are a crook while shopping. You can’t use skin color as a predicate for criminal activity . I think this is a store tactic when black people enter the store. Watch them, walk by them 3-4 times, stare at them, walk up close to them and look them in their eyes in an all out effort to make you feel u comfortable in that store and leave. Thats exactly when they did to me. I’m a 65 yr old man with great beard.

How can I be considered a suspect shoplifter. I can’t run, I’m too old to fight, I have medical conditions, how can that description automatically

Make me a criminal. Dicks sports committed the following violations:

Definitions

1. Consumer racial profiling is the practice of targeting a consumer for discriminatory treatment based on the consumer’s race or skin color

2. Racial profiling, which is both illegal and improper. Racial profiling is a practice based on the mistaken belief that certain ethnic groups are more likely to shoplift than others. It causes employees to improperly focus their surveillance on a customer’s race instead of his/her conduct. There are many dangers posed by racial profiling. It can result in false theft accusations, wrongful detentions and harassment when no probable cause exists, all of which can result in legal consequent. Nevertheless, racial profiling is prevalent in retailers nationwide.

3. Retail Racial Profiling

Racial profiling at a store is a traumatic experience that no one should have to go through. If it happens to you, remember that you have rights and there are steps you can take to protect yourself and hold responsible parties accountable.