The Starbucks pickup counter, a place dependent solely on the honor system. Place a mobile order, go in, pick it up and continue with your day. But how can you trust your drink will be there? No one sits there and polices the counter, anyone could walk in and take any drink they’d like. And yes, this does happen.

Former Starbucks Barista and Westlake High School Graduate Megan Wacker says people steal drinks “probably twice a day or more”, but she doesn’t usually notice. Anyone who has ever set foot in a Starbucks would know just how busy it can get. Drive-thru lines can be wrapped around the building, as well as another line out the door. This makes it prime territory for drink theft.

Starbucks keeps no record of those who steal drinks. Westlake High School Junior and Starbucks Barista Judi Elmallah says it’s not that deep, it’s just more of an annoyance. With an unmonitored counter, busy baristas and no apparent consequences it’s almost like Starbucks is asking people to steal drinks.

While it does happen, Wacker says “it’s not a really large problem in our district” so the company isn’t taking steps to address it. People in the area seem to be fairly considerate because while drink stealing is annoying for the people who purchased the drink, it’s even worse for the baristas.

“It’s inconvenient because we have to remake the drinks and we lose money as a store”, Wacker says. Elmallah who works at the Crocker Park Promenade Starbucks says that working at the busiest store in the district, it’s not the money that matters but agrees it is a huge inconvenience. She says, “not one minute goes by where we aren’t making a drink or ringing an order”.

While it might not seem consequential, theft is still illegal and if you get caught, Starbucks can call the cops on you. Westlake High School School Resource Officer Tim Gaertner says if you get caught stealing a drink from any Crocker Park Starbucks, “They will ban you from Crocker Park including the Bay Plaza”. After this if you are caught at Crocker Park it is considered criminal trespassing and you will be sent to a diversion program, have to pay a fine, and complete community service.