Aside from the matter of whether drinking a $0.98 iced tea before you buy it really constitutes "shoplifting" (I've seen this quite often enough, in Whole Foods of all places, to conclude that while it's not exactly a classy thing to do, it's most likely a misunderstanding on the part of people who happen to be... very thirsty), the article isn't (at all) suggesting that Walmart ignore shoplifting.

Rather, the basic point it (very clearly) makes is that Walmart's very design and layout attracts criminal and/or nuisance behaviors in the first place:

Walmart stores, with heavy foot traffic and cavernous layouts, are natural targets for shoplifters, panhandlers and other opportunists. Many are located in disadvantaged areas prone to more trouble. The retailer knows all of that, experts said, but doesn’t do enough to address the problems, despite ample resources. Walmart, they said, lays out its stores in a way that invites trouble and often doesn’t have enough uniformed employees to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Oh -- and as to what Walmart's response to the premature $0.98 iced tea drinker be, you ask? How about the natural, human response: "Sir, can you please make sure to pay for drinks at the register before opening them in the store? Thanks!"