If walmart had to pay for police services directly, they might continue with the status quo, or they might take extra steps - like hiring asset protection employees, limiting the hours of the store, making a policy to not pursue shoplifting under $5, etc.

I'm not saying the current allocation of police time is right or wrong, I'm just saying that I think it'd be different if Walmart had skin in the game and I think we'd be closer to the right amount of police time at Walmart if Walmart had skin in the game.