
Texas Walmart Stores Adopt Major Security Change – More Coming Soon?
DENTON, Texas (KPEL News) - Walmart stores across Texas could soon witness a significant shift in their security measures.
The retail giant has begun testing body cameras for store associates in a pilot program aimed at de-escalating customer conflicts and improving employee safety. One of the first confirmed locations? Denton, Texas — 40 miles north of Dallas.

Why Is Walmart Testing Body Cameras?
The retail industry is no stranger to challenges like shoplifting and hostile customer interactions. With the holiday shopping season in full swing, tensions are even higher. Walmart’s move to introduce body cameras seeks to deter conflicts and create a safer environment for employees and customers alike.
Walmart staff are instructed to activate the cameras when an interaction begins to escalate, while respecting privacy rules by not using the devices in break rooms or restrooms.
According to a Walmart spokesperson, this initiative is part of ongoing tests to determine how technology can improve store safety. “This is a pilot we are testing in one market, and we will evaluate the results before making any longer-term decisions,” the company said.
The Texas Connection: What’s Happening in Denton?
Denton, Texas, has emerged as one of the first sites for this bodycam test. Shoppers at a Walmart in Denton reported seeing associates wearing body cameras while checking receipts. Signs at store entrances now notify customers that “body-worn cameras are in use.”
Texas residents, especially those in retail-heavy areas like Dallas, Houston, and Austin, could see these devices roll out more widely if the pilot proves successful. The test comes at a time when retailers nationwide are exploring creative ways to improve safety and reduce incidents of theft and harassment.
What Does This Mean for Texas Shoppers?
For shoppers in Texas, the visible presence of body cameras could have mixed implications:
- Enhanced Safety: Knowing interactions are recorded may help de-escalate potential conflicts.
- Privacy Concerns: Some customers and workers worry that body cameras focus more on surveillance than actual safety improvements.
David Johnston, VP of the National Retail Federation, noted that body cameras can influence behavior positively. “The moment you see yourself on a screen, it’s likely you’ll adjust your behavior,” Johnston said.
Are Body Cameras the Future of Retail Safety?
While some critics, including labor groups, argue that body cameras are no substitute for proper safety training and staffing, other retailers have already seen benefits. TJX Companies, the parent company of TJ Maxx and Marshall’s, reported success in reducing theft after implementing bodycams for loss prevention staff.
For Walmart, this test is about addressing a growing concern among employees who face aggressive customers and tense situations. Texas, with its large retail presence and customer traffic, is a strategic location for evaluating the success of this program.

Looking Ahead: Could This Come to a Walmart Near You?
As the pilot program unfolds, Texas shoppers will be key in determining whether body cameras roll out nationwide. While Denton is the first confirmed location, Texans may soon notice bodycams in Walmarts across other major cities.
The goal remains clear: safer stores, reduced conflict, and improved experiences for workers and customers alike. But the debate continues — will body cameras be the solution Texas shoppers and workers need?
Stay tuned as Walmart evaluates the results of this game-changing pilot program in the Lone Star State.
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Gallery Credit: Billy Jenkins