The San Francisco Target store has placed all cosmetic and toiletry items under lockdown due to a shoplifting crisis affecting retailers in the city.
On Thursday, a TikTok video was uploaded showing that many everyday drugstore items in the large chain store were placed behind locked doors.
The video clip showed that not only small valuable items like razors but also large quantities of inexpensive products such as mouthwash, shampoo and lotion were being kept out of reach of potential shoplifters.
The cosmetic section has been closed at the Folsom Street store near the city’s Mission District since at least October of last year.
“Like other retailers, organized retail crime is a concern across our business. We’re taking proactive measures to keep our teams and guests safe while deterring and preventing theft,” a Target spokesperson stated.
The Bay Area has been affected a lot by theft. It got worse during the pandemic. Because of this, Walgreens had to close five stores in San Francisco.
According to the National Retail Federation’s 2022 retail security survey, San Francisco/Oakland was ranked as the second-most affected metropolitan area by theft in both 2020 and 2021, with Los Angeles being the only city ranking higher.
Shoplifters are known to be attracted to items such as body wash and over-the-counter medication, which they can easily sell on the black market to smaller stores. This information has been provided by the organization.
In 2021, New York City moved up to third place on the list and surpassed Chicago.
According to a survey conducted by the association, 71% of retailers reported a significant or moderate rise in organized retail crime. The survey further revealed that 55% of these retailers attributed the increase in crime to policies in some cities, such as San Francisco and New York, that eliminate cash bail for non-violent offenses.
Although San Francisco’s murder rate is lower compared to other big cities, there has been a rise in violent crime, including two well-known incidents that occurred recently. One was the stabbing death of Cash App founder Bob Lee earlier this month, and the other was the unprovoked crowbar attack on Fire Commissioner Don Carmignani the next day, which left him struggling for survival.
Two weeks ago, a Whole Foods Market in downtown San Francisco closed due to worries about crime, safety, and a “high theft” rate.
Last week, the Board of Supervisors in San Francisco voted to approve a new police contract that offers higher pay in an effort to address a shortage of staff.
According to Police Chief Bill Scott, the city’s department is understaffed by 25% because they were unable to replace 562 officers who retired or resigned.
“People want our officers to focus on the open-air drug dealing, retail theft, home burglaries, and violence impacting our neighborhoods, but we need more police to deliver,” Mayor London Breed stated.
