One Foot Forward

In certain neighborhoods, this is
What all the shoe stores do:
When customers want sneakers,
They may only try one shoe.

At first they’re given just the left
And if it’s not too tight,
They give the salesman back the shoe
Then they try on the right.

There is no chance to walk around
With both shoes on their feet,
Unless they make a purchase
And are holding the receipt.

It seems that thieves have ruined things
When sneaker buyers shop
Unless, as an alternative,
Each shoe store hired a cop!