San Francisco stores removing self-checkout stations to curb theft and retail crime

Several San Francisco stores have removed self-checkout stations as a way to curtail escalating theft and retail crime across the city.

Certain Safeway and Target locations closed their self-checkout kiosks to customers, while shoppers have been scanning their own purchases for years at the two chains.

BIDEN’S OFF-RAMP SHOULD HE BOW OUT OF THE 2024 CONTEST

This summer, the Safeway on Webster Street and multiple others installed security gates at self-checkout kiosks to deter shoplifting in which a receipt is scanned before exiting the store. That same location has now removed its self-checkout lanes entirely. Workers told SFGate the self-checkout kiosks were removed a few months ago.

The Target on Mission and 4th streets also disabled its self-checkout kiosks, and employees told CBS News the removal of the pay system was due to shoplifting. Target closed three stores in the Bay Area in October, citing “theft and organized retail crime” that threatened “the safety of our team and guests, and contributing to unsustainable business performance.”

Shoplifting has been a hot-button topic in the city for years, and the San Francisco Police Department has ramped up efforts recently, launching undercover operations to arrest retail thieves, dubbed “Blitz ’23.”

Police arrested 17 shoplifting suspects in one week focused on a store in the 700 block of Mission Street, a retail hot spot known for many shoplifting incidents, as part of the enforcement operation.

San Francisco’s Police Chief William Scott released data at the end of November showing 206 reports of theft over Thanksgiving, a 72% drop compared to 2022, when 747 thefts were reported.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The nonpartisan Council on Criminal Justice released a report in November examining 24 major U.S. cities, suggesting retail theft in San Francisco fell by 35% in the first half of this year, compared to the same period last year.

The Washington Examiner reached out to Target and Safeway for comment.