We watched shoplifters steal from three Portland stores. Nobody stopped them.

Police, prosecutors, retailers, private security and neighbors complain shoplifting or organized retail crime is a citywide epidemic — largely fueled by drug addiction. Criminals are literally stealing merchandise off store shelves and walking out the front door with little or no fear of being arrested or prosecuted. Read more: Some of the hardest hit stores in the Portland-area are losing between $1 million to $5 million annually to theft, according to the Oregon Retail Crime Association. Retailers across the city have been forced to hire private security guards, lock down valuable items, change store layout, reduce hours or simply close their doors. Subscribe: Watch the latest KGW newscast: Get the KGW app: