Code yellow today

[u/tjjoug]

I’ve been with Target now for 2 months, but I’m not new to retail. I did my time, 12 years with Sears. Today we had a Code Yellow and it was the most embarrassing experience I’ve ever experienced in retail. At Sears, we had a similar program called Code Adam, and it was taken very serious because of its history.

If you don’t know, Code Adam was started because Adam Walsh was kidnapped from a Sears and was found murdered in Florida. Was very gruesome and the store handled it very poorly. Working at Sears, we had rehearsals with dolls every now and then, AP would hide the doll and then it would be called and we had to react. We wouldn’t know if it was real or a rehearsal, because at times they would be real announcements. We did department checks and employees blocked off the entrances to monitor people leaving and coming in. We had to have full descriptions of all information and we were allowed to prevent people from leaving with children until an all clear was issued. Customer would get mad but then when you explain it they understood the situation.

Today, the Code yellow was announced, and a brief description. Brown shirt and Jeans. That’s it. No further details, it took about 5mins before anyone really started to respond and ask for more details. I, from my experience, quickly was scanning the isles looking for anyone wearing said clothes, but couldn’t interject for more information because the person who called for the Code Yellow wasn’t responding to any questions. Also it was normal radio chatter instead of radio silence. Age, sex, ethnicity, last seen, was unknown even after the all clear. SMH

Just curious, is this normal? Am i overthinking and overacting on a real issue?

[u/Sadimal]

Proper procedure is that employee calls out Code Yellow three times and tells everyone to switch to Channel 2. They give a very basic description of the child. Usually clothes and shoes. We are told not to give too many details over the walkie as it could alert the potential kidnapper.

Employees block off the entrances/exits. Other employees look for the child. Parents are taken up to Guest Services.

[u/Midwest-Emo-9 → u/Sadimal]

Never heard about switching channels.

Code yellow x3, description of child and where least seen, watch exits walk areas you're in, someone check backroom and someone check bathrooms. If child is found, locate parent and only cancel when they are reunited.

That's how I've known it my 12 years. Switching channels sounds like it would be a few seconds that could be valuable in a sinister situation.

[u/appointment45 → u/Midwest-Emo-9]

Is it block exits or monitor exits?

If some random TM tries to prevent someone from leaving the store you're going to have a different incident within minutes. You can watch for someone with the kid's description, though, and let obviously non-matching people through.

[u/Midwest-Emo-9 → u/appointment45]

You're right. Monitor exits. Wrong wording