The Jena Police Department has issued a friendly reminder to shoppers at the Mission House: The prices are already low enough. There is no need to apply an unauthorized “five-finger discount.”

Police said they have recently heard reports of several thefts from the Mission House and pointed out one fairly important flaw in the bargain-hunting strategy — it is considerably cheaper to pay for the item than to pay for a theft ticket.

In other words, that $3 treasure on the shelf is only a bargain if you actually hand over the $3.

“See something you like? Buy it,” the department advised. “Think nobody will notice you taking it? Think again.”

The Mission House provides affordable items to area residents while using proceeds from sales to support its work in the community. Police emphasized that stealing a $1 or $3 item does more than deprive the store of a small amount of money — it takes resources away from an organization working to help others.

And for anyone still tempted by an item with an irresistible price tag, police offered some simple retail math:

$3 item + paying for it = $3.

$3 item + stealing it = potentially a whole lot more than $3.

The Jena Police Department summed up the lesson nicely: “Steal it? Now that $3 bargain just got A LOT more expensive.”

So shoppers are encouraged to browse, find a bargain and support the Mission House — just remember that when it comes time to leave, the merchandise needs to have made a quick trip through the checkout first.

After all, there are bargains at the Mission House.

Theft tickets are not one of them.

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