California: Target and Walgreens close early over increasing theft

• Multiple reports of theft in California stores prompted Target to reduce their operating hours and Walgreens to close several stores.
• One video shared on social media showed a man looting stuff at a Walgreens store while other customers and security officers recorded the incident.
• The retail companies reportedly instructed security guards not to engage with shoplifters.

California has seen a rise in theft and other crimes, prompting Target and Walgreens to heighten security efforts in major cities.

A Target spokesperson told KPIX5, “For more than a month, we’ve been experiencing a significant and alarming rise in theft and security incidents at our San Francisco stores, similar to reports from other retailers in the area.”

To prioritize the safety of their “guests, team members, and communities,” Target has since reduced its operating hours in six San Francisco stores. Its new operating hours are now from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., compared to most stores that open between 7 and 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. One Financial District store will be closing as early as 5 p.m. on Saturday.

The retail chain implored “local law enforcement, elected officials, and community partners to address” the issue.

Other retail operators also called for harsher penalties for theft.

Earlier this month, a video showed a man casually stealing items from a San Francisco Walgreens while onlookers and security guards filmed the incident. He took off with the goods on his bike with little to no altercation.

“This has been a problem going on for years. We have been diligently trying to find solutions to this, including pending legislation to continue funding for the Organized Retail Task Force. We are trying to attack it from all different ways,” CRA President and CEO Rachel Michelin declared.

“Our priority is the safety of our employees and consumers. We can’t have our security guards going after this – they are not law enforcement,” Michelin continued.

Walgreens also closed several of its stores. They also reportedly instructed security guards not to engage with shoplifters and to leave it to law enforcement.

Kevin Greathouse, a security guard at a Walgreens in San Francisco, carries a handgun, taser, and pepper spray. But he told ABC 7 News that retail companies “don’t want ourselves or anybody else to get injured while we’re out here attempting to make these apprehensions.”

He added that he has previously been threatened with a knife by a thief, but he has not had to use the weapons to protect himself.

Greathouse told ABC 7 News, “I don’t have any intention of getting stabbed for $60 worth of stuff.”

Source: FOX 5 New York