SAFEWAY has been forced to introduce more anti-theft measures in a bid to stay as it sends a defiant message to shoplifters.
A store in Washington DC recently installed security gates at the self-checkout which requires shoppers to scan their receipt to exit the store.
The location in the northwest of the city has been plagued by crime including a robbery that occurred on the day the retailer made the announcement.
Such crime has put customers and workers in danger and it is hoped that this additional method, while it will not prevent robberies, will help people feel safe and reduce shoplifting.
This theft thing is becoming really out of hand…We’ve got to try something before they close it down.
Local resident Pete
Safeway said in a statement that the changes to the store are “to maintain a safe and welcoming shopping experience for our customers.”
“Like other local businesses, we are working on ways to curtail escalating theft so we can ensure the well-being of our employees and foster a welcoming environment for our customers,” the statement read.
“These long-planned security improvements were implemented with those goals in mind.”
Safeway is sending a defiant message to shoplifters after a CVS store in the same area announced that it would close at the end of February after being targeted and ransacked by thieves.
Customers are mixed in their response to the new measures at the Safeway store.
“I’m hoping that it really pays off, that it works for us because this theft thing is becoming really out of hand,” nearby resident Pete, told Wtop news.
“We’ve got to try something before they close it down.”
“I’m very sad that we’ve come to this,” fellow local Lindsey said.
“It’s a sad commentary on everybody in the city.”
However, another said that the new gates are “just an opportunity to increase surveillance and criminalization of the public, especially Black and brown communities.”
The gates have been rolled out in other areas including San Francisco and shoppers have shared their experiences of them on X, formerly Twitter.
Many shoppers noted that the gates fail to stop determined shoplifters and simply frustrate innocent shoppers.
“They have these at the SW Safeway. The security guards do nothing when people jump over them, but yell at people who need to get carts (there are never carts by the entrance),” one shopper said.
Another customer said the same thing, “Shoplifters will just jump over or push through these.
“We need accountability! Arrest and prosecute criminals! Enough is enough!”
“They added these to 4th St SW Safeway too. Frankly, it’s super annoying,” a third said.
The U.S. Sun has contacted Albertsons, Safeway’s parent company, for comment.
