Fredericksen Hardware & Paint, a well-established store in the Cow Hollow-Marina area of San Francisco, faces rising losses from frequent theft and is attempting to deter crime by having employees accompany customers while they shop.
Rising Lawlessness in the State
Sam Black, store manager at Fredericksen Hardware for over 20 years, claims he has never seen the bold shoplifting incidents witnessed by the store in recent months, saying, "it was still locked, but just grabbing it and breaking the peg board and just taking the whole display. Just ripping the whole thing off," necessitating additional security measures such as adding oak pieces to slow down theft attempts.
Black told local news outlet Fox 2 that they had to prioritize the safety of their employees and customers in response to criminals conducting snatch-and-grab thefts, and customers will now have a personal attendant escorting them from the moment they enter until they leave the store.
Fredericksen Hardware on Fillmore Street has been a neighborhood fixture since 1896. However, in recent weeks, it resembles more of a fortified vault than the casual neighborhood supply store it used to be.
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Implementation of Escort Policy in Stores
Black mentioned that following a series of thefts, the store adopted a new policy, where customers are now required to wait at the front to be assisted and are then accompanied by an employee through the store to locate their desired items for purchase.
Black mentioned that the store had never implemented such measures before, even during COVID. It has not only frustrated some loyal customers but also led to reduced sales of items customers might have bought if they could browse freely. Despite these challenges, Black emphasized that the store had no alternative at this point.
According to Black, lawlessness prevails. They steal without fear, especially considering the high felony threshold. Fortunately, the new policy appears effective, with no significant incidents since its implementation. However, Black looks forward to returning to normal operations, allowing customers to browse freely. Still, the store intends to maintain the new policy for at least a month, with readiness to prolong it if theft persists.
Headlines About Companies Shutting Down Amid Rising Security Concerns
Recent headlines have highlighted high-profile companies in the San Francisco area closing or increasing security due to safety concerns.
Target shut down its downtown Oakland store last autumn due to over 100 smash-and-grab thefts and similar incidents reported in 2023.
In-N-Out recently revealed the closure of its only Oakland burger joint, marking the first time in the company's history that such a decision was made. This move comes in response to widespread burglaries, property damage, and armed robberies in the area.
Last month, a Denny's restaurant closed due to the crime epidemic.
Blue Shield, Clorox, and Kaiser Permanente, Oakland's largest employer, have taken precautions such as issuing warnings to employees, hiring security guards, or implementing other measures in response to a surge in crime in the city.
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