FIVE-FINGER DISCOUNT

Once the holidays have ended, how to dispose of the big green Christmas tree is the only vision left in your head. You may want to know what your city refuse collectors require you to do. Here are the rules. Apartment dwellers should check with their complex manager.

It’s the retailers’ season to make hay, but also cast a wary eye. Last year Orange County businesses suffered more than 11,000 incidents of shoplifting, the highest number during the last five years. Also, reported value was the highest recorded during the same period. On the bright side, the increase in both the number of incidents, and value slowed considerably from 1986. Here’s the five-year period:

SHOPLIFTING

Number of % Change From Reported % Change From Year Offenses Previous Year Value Previous Year 1987 11,101 +2 * $1,433,913 +2 1986 10,921 +9 1,407,152 +34 1985 10,057 +4 1,051,106 +43 1984 9,661 -1 736,819 -22 1983 9,750 -- 941,729 --

*Estimate

Source: California Attorney General’s Office, Bureau of Criminal Statistics