In response to a shoplifting crisis that has affected businesses in San Francisco, a Target store in the city has put some of its products under lockdown.
San Francisco Target store implements lockdown amid surge in organized retail crime and shoplifting
The severity of the situation was captured in a TikTok video that showed various toiletries and cosmetics placed under lock and key throughout the store. Even low-value items such as mouthwash, shampoo, and lotion were being kept inaccessible to potential thieves, a measure that is not typically seen in retail stores.
A Target spokesperson told Insider Paper that not all of their products are on lockdown. However, earlier reports had stated that all products were put on lockdown.
According to Target spokesperson, organized retail crime is a concern across their business. “We’re taking proactive measures to keep our teams and guests safe while deterring and preventing theft. These mitigation efforts include hiring additional security guards, adding third-party guard services at select locations, and using new technologies and tools to protect merchandise from being stolen,” the spokesperson stated.
“We are working with legislators, law enforcement, and retail industry partners to support public policy that would help achieve our goals of creating a safe environment in our stores and keeping our doors open in communities across the country,” they added.
According to WNCT-TV, the Target store located near San Francisco’s Mission District on Folsom Street had implemented the practice of locking up cosmetics since at least October of last year.
This move was in response to the surge in organized retail crime, a problem that has been particularly severe in the Bay Area and has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Major retailers like Walgreens have been forced to close multiple stores in San Francisco due to rampant theft.
According to the 2022 retail security survey conducted by the National Retail Federation, the San Francisco/Oakland metropolitan area was ranked as the second-most impacted region by theft in both 2020 and 2021. The only area with a higher rate of theft was Los Angeles.
The organization identified products such as body wash and over-the-counter medication as especially appealing to shoplifters, who often sell their loot on the black market to smaller retail establishments. In the latest rankings, New York City moved up to third place, surpassing Chicago.
Survey shows majority of retailers blame reduced cash bail policies for surge in organized retail crime
According to the association’s survey, 71% of retailers reported a “substantial” or “moderate” surge in organized retail crime. Of those, 55% attributed policies that reduce or eliminate cash bail for non-violent offenses in cities like San Francisco and New York to be the reason behind the increase.
While San Francisco’s homicide rate is still lower than many other major cities, there has been an uptick in violent crime in the area, highlighted by two recent high-profile incidents.
The first was the fatal stabbing of Cash App founder Bob Lee earlier this month, while the second was an unprovoked crowbar attack on Fire Commissioner Don Carmignani that left him fighting for his life a day later.
