Wow. I thought it was really pathetic 18 months ago when Radio Shack decided to do a mass layoff via email. It turns out that Target is even more bereft of clues.
OK, I can sort of understand the policy that says only certain people (presumably with special training) are allowed to confront shoplifters, but this one makes no sense. All of the “trusted people” were off work and a security guard sees a 16-year-old girl stealing a bottle of tequila. So he stopped her. Quietly. And he called her parents, who were grateful.
So how does Target react? They fired him! Doesn’t exactly give me the warm fuzzies about the company, y’know?
So here’s my suggestion:
1) Print out the newspaper column
2) Stick it in an envelope and mail to:
Target Corp.
Attn: Mr. Robert J. Ulrich, CEO
1000 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Perhaps include a cover letter. Perhaps something along the lines of:

Dear Mr. Ulrich,
As you can see from the enclosed newspaper column, it would appear that some of your stores are being run by people who are woefully short of common sense. You might want to do something about that. A very public apology might be a good starting point.
In the meantime, I’ll be taking my business elsewhere.

It’ll cost you nothing more than a stamp and who knows? Perhaps they’ll decide to do the right thing.