Thou shalt not steal. (even if human law says you can) Exodus 20:15
"According to the California Retailer's Association three cities in our
state are among the top 10 in the country when it comes to organized
retail crime--Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sacramento.
Already
we are seeing the negative impact it is having in San Francisco with
stores permanently shutting down or closing early. It has become one of
the most pressing issues in our city today.
Target has now acknowledged that San Francisco is the only city in America where they have decided to close some stores early because of the escalating retail crime.
......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.
Target has now acknowledged that San Francisco is the only city in America where they have decided to close some stores early because of the escalating retail crime.
......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.
Target isn't the only store in San Francisco to make changes because of
the continuous shoplifting. After 10 p.m. the 7-Eleven on Drumm St. in
the Financial District only does business through a metal door. But
first you have to ring the bell to let them know you're outside.
"This window was installed like two to three months ago because it was not safe. Sometimes they would break that glass of the door," explained Manager Bobby Singh.
"This window was installed like two to three months ago because it was not safe. Sometimes they would break that glass of the door," explained Manager Bobby Singh.
Walgreens has already closed several stores for the same reason and
security guards are told not to physically engage
with those shoplifting." abc7news
"California passed Proposition 47, which would reduce punishment for more than one million people.
....the bill was intended
to reduce overcrowding in the state’s prison system and treat low-level
criminals with more compassion. As part of the bill, shoplifters
would now have to steal over $950 worth of goods to be charged with a
felony. Penalties for drug possession and writing bad checks were also
reduced.... it has become a nightmare for retailers. Retailers and law enforcement officials state that since shoplifting
below $950 is now a misdemeanor, it means shoplifters face no pursuit
and no punishment. Sources quote some large California retailers such as
Safeway, Target, Rite Aid and CVS as saying that shoplifting has
increased at least 15 percent, and in some cases, doubled.
Shoplifters are much less threatened by the thought of a misdemeanor conviction versus a felony. A Washington Post article calls the law a “virtual get-out-of-jail-free card”:
- Robberies are up 23 percent in San Francisco
- Property theft, including shoplifting, is up 11 percent in Los Angeles, reversing a downtrend
- Overall crime is up 20 percent in Lake Tahoe, 36 percent in La Mirada, 22 percent in Chico, and 68 percent in Desert Hot Springs
- A 2016 study showed larceny increasing by 9 percent, or about 135 more thefts per 100,000 residents.
City attorneys accustomed to handling traffic tickets and zoning violations now find themselves prosecuting crimes that used to be felonies, including forgeries, general theft and shoplifting.
District attorneys who used to threaten drug offenders and habitual shoplifters with felonies no longer have that option." LPM