The city of San Francisco is in the grips of an unprecedented shoplifting crisis. CNN has reported on this epidemic and even witnessed three thefts in just half an hour. Store owners and residents are at their wit’s end and the situation is rapidly spiraling out of control.
It’s why workers at this Richmond area San Francisco Walgreens grew so frustrated that they resorted to chaining the freezer section. Corporate ordered it down bc of the negative messaging it sent. But the problem remains— unabated theft. pic.twitter.com/6U4Yaj9I1Z
— Kyung Lah (@KyungLahCNN) July 25, 2023
The measures that shops are being forced to take to protect their merchandise are extreme. Heavy chains and padlocks are just the tip of the iceberg. The cost of these measures is being passed on to honest, hardworking consumers, who are already struggling in a difficult economy.
The rampant theft is not exclusive to expensive or luxury items. Everyday essentials, such as diapers and baby formula, are being brazenly stolen. This is a heartbreaking reality for those who truly need these products but cannot afford to buy them. It is also a reflection of the lawlessness that is pervasive in the city, which is compounded by a lack of real consequences for criminals.
In the words of San Francisco resident Richie Greenberg, “this is just more icing on the cake telling us that rampant crime has become a regular part of life.” People are living in fear, constantly worrying about the next time they may be victimized.
In San Francisco, we went to the Walgreens that is the #1 spot for theft in all the 9000 US stores, per Walgreens. This is where chains once shut the freezer section. And we saw 3 thefts right in front of us. But across SF, coffee, mustard, nail polish– are all locked up: pic.twitter.com/IfYBVgpeI2
— Kyung Lah (@KyungLahCNN) July 25, 2023
Some skeptics have tried to downplay the severity of this crisis. But, the facts speak for themselves. The situation on the ground is dire and demands immediate attention.
The city of San Francisco must take bold action to address this issue. We need real solutions, real change, real enforcement, and real zero-tolerance policies towards theft. A failure to act now will only further embolden criminals and put innocent people at risk.
The time for excuses is over. The time for action is now. We must do everything in our power to restore law and order to the streets of San Francisco. Every single person deserves to feel safe and secure in their own city.
