Is Westwood Walmart 'most shoplifted in America'?

Walmart operates more than 4,500 stores nationwide. The most shoplifted among them is in Cincinnati's Westwood neighborhood, according to Cincinnati police.

Cincinnati police made an average of 2.5 service calls per day to the store over the last two years.

The Walmart also happens to be in police department's new backyard. The store at 2322 Ferguson Road is on a lot adjacent to the soon-to-be-operational District 3 headquarters at 2300 Ferguson Road.

The genesis of the unsavory "most shoplifted Walmart" distinction is unclear, but Cincinnati police appeared to hold the idea as truth during a May 7 news conference. District 3 Capt. Daniel Gerard said the store was most shoplifted Walmart in the country while discussing crime trends and neighborhood rankings for the most vehicle-related thefts and break-ins.

Cincinnati police did not respond to requests for comment regarding the Westwood Walmart.

Public records obtained by The Enquirer for a two-year period spanning June 2, 2013 to June 2, 2015 indicate the store has had at least 235 incidents of theft recorded by Cincinnati police.

That doesn't include attempted thefts logged internally by the Westwood Walmart, and without police involvement - a measure intended to help relieve demand on local law enforcement, said Walmart spokesman Brian Nick.

Records indicate Cincinnati police made more than 1,800 service calls to 2322 Ferguson Road during the two-year period - an average of more than 2.5 service calls per day.

"Officer needing assistance" calls were logged on 12 occasions over the two-year period.

Gerard's statement wasn't news for those that have lived the consumer experience at the store. Internet reviews reveal the high-visibility of the store's shoplifting problem.

"Cops are constantly walking out with shoplifters in handcuffs. I just started going to Target a few miles away," wrote one consumer in a Google review of the store.

Nick, director of media relations for Walmart, spoke openly in acknowledging the Walmart store's troubles, although he declined to comment on the accuracy of the store's reputation as the most shoplifted in the country.

They're aware of the Westwood store's stigma in Walmart's corporate corridors, Nick said, and steps are being taken to improve security.

"This is a challenging situation that presents a lot of different issues, but there are some things that have been done, and some things that will continue to be done because our management team and our leadership in the area have worked closely with police in the area," Nick said.

For store employees and patrons, there is reason to feel optimistic about possible security improvements.

In addition to logging and processing thefts internally to spare Cincinnati police a few headaches, local Walmart management also enlists the daily help of off-duty Cincinnati officers.

Off-duty officers arrive no later than 2 p.m. and stay until the store closes at 1 a.m., Nick said.

The nearby District 3 police headquarters, scheduled for to go operational Thursday, should also make the Walmart a less attractive target for would-be shoplifters, Nick said.

"Not only do we not want to have to catch people committing these crimes," Nick said, "we don't want people in the stores for the wrong reasons like everyone else in the community."