GEORGETOWN, DC (WUSA9) -- Many Georgetown retailers are using a messaging app to combat shoplifting, but some critics say the messages are another form of racial profiling.
The app the shopkeepers use is called "GroupMe", a real-time group messaging application that people all over the country use to communicate. The retailers are using it to let other retailers know about suspicious activity or shoplifting.
But many posts are about African American people, commonly abbreviated as "AA" whom retailers allege shoplifting or suspicious activity.
Keisha Greene manages Sports Zone, and yesterday they put a lookout on an African American man. He didn't steal anything.
"He's one of the guys who look suspicious and checking out what we have," Greene said. "They'll probably come in the next time and steal it."