SF stores install exit gates, chain locks to stop shoplifting

San Francisco supermarkets and retailers are implementing unprecedented security measures to thwart what has been described as rampant shoplifting.

Subscribe to KTVU's YouTube channel:

KTVU delivers the best in-depth reports, interviews and breaking news coverage in the San Francisco Bay Area and California

[ChristianHernandez-csmu]

We should just go back to the days where people doing bad things were actually punished instead of given the power to sue everyone

[Mlogan]

I don't see why the employees have to testify in court to convict the shoplifters. All that should be needed is the video of them taking items without paying for them and them being caught with the stolen items.

[theprofessional]

The testifying isn’t the only reason . They still consider shoplifters customers . I asked my manager in retail once why he didn’t ban shoplifters and he said he didn’t want them to complain to corporate. It’s pure stupidity.

[nc]

People who claim "stealing from a big store is fine and we shouldn't stop it" clearly don't get that the store will eventually just close down, and then truly decent people in the area will be stuck in an even worse food desert. All crime either directly or indirectly hurts people, that's why they are considered crimes.

[chucknorris]

Imagine being so confident that there would be no consequences at all for stealing that you would be willing to do it with a LOCAL NEWS CAMERA CREW FILMING YOU.

[tx]

Who wrote the law to let people shoplift and go free?

[mayjimeno]

In our small town here in the Philippines only a month back, a thief was apprehended & beat up by the store clerks. No charges for any of those who mauled the perp. Now that's a good way to handle shoplifting!

[asmith]

As an ex store detective I blame store layout, lack of staff and lack of punishment, it's one thing stealing to feed out of hunger but stealing for greed i have no sympathy

[peekaboots]

Decline to press charges? 🙄 Walgreen's policies are insane. They are making shopping inconvenient for paying customers while not prosecuting CRIMINALS!

[legalizefreedom]

SF is a perfect example of what not to do. Thanks SF

[dynoreed]

Recently, in my community, I saw two guys run out of a local grocery/retail store with a new garbage can full of new stuff, but they were immediately arrested by local police. I only saw it happen once and I shop there weekly. Very little is locked up in stores in my area. I don't understand why the local government puts the responsibility of law enforcement on the store. Unprofitable stores will close, and then the government will have less to tax.

[thomasgurchiek]

You know back in the day before boxed items where put on the shelf. The clerks weighed, measured, and picked the items for you...geee how times are making their way back around.

[TripleWhopperWithCheese]

You can get a murder conviction with circumstantial evidence and no body. But you can't get a shoplifting conviction with video evidence?

[OOICU]

This is just another example of what happens when bad behavior is not punished. 🙄

[MelissaVee]

All you gotta do is jump the gate!! 😂😂😭😭😭

[deebee]

The people of San Francisco voted for this. I’m glad they’re getting exactly what they voted for.

[andrewdavis]

This is what happens when you don’t prosecute crime. The stores won’t stop them because they could get sued or someone gets hurt. The police can’t charge them if it’s not over a certain amount. Even if it is they will most likely be let out. It’s messed up.

[jkhegarty]

In my Walgreens, they use a pictured coupon of the item. You pull that off the shelf, and when you want to check out, you hand the clerk the coupons. They go to a locked cabinet & retrieve your items. It's a safeguard for the store, but it's a longer wait in line for the customer.

[TankOR]

Because of the shoplifting, other stores around the country have had to raise prices to cover for the loss. I can not afford to shop at Walgreens in Wisconsin anymore and I know that I'm not alone.

[milpitas]

It’s not a “shoplifting” problem, it’s a San Francisco problem.