Safeway In Castro Cuts Hours Due To ‘Off The Charts’ Shoplifting; ‘It’s Unhappy, Upsetting And Irritating’ – CBS San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – San Francisco supervisor Rafael Mandelman said another major San Francisco retailer has made the decision to close earlier due to excessive theft, especially at night.
The Castro Safeway on Market and Church Street was open 24 hours, but that is no longer the case. Signs at the entrance indicate that the new opening times will be from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. from October 24th.
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Many shoppers were surprised to find that the Safeway they use outside of business hours is declining.
“I feel like it’s definitely an inconvenience, not everyone makes it to the grocery store between these hours so it’s a little frustrating, especially for me personally. I like to go shopping later, ”says Chris Rankins, who lives in the Castro.
Mandelman’s precinct includes the Market Street Safeway. He said the company reached out to him to discuss issues with the theft.
“I think, like many retailers, they are seeing increasing property crime and theft from their stores,” Mandelman said. “I think the last 6 months have been kind of off the charts after what they say, as far as the bad development goes. It’s sad, angry and frustrating. “
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Mandelman said he is now working to organize a meeting with Safeway, the San Francisco police and the district attorney.
“It’s an equity problem,” he said. “There are many low-income people, seniors, people with disabilities who rely on these Safeway and other Safeways across town.”
Johnny Denham, who works at night, has to change his routine for now.
“It is better for me to come here after work, shop, and go home,” he said. “Now it’s like I either have to go shopping before work or on my days off, which I don’t really enjoy doing.”
Safeway did not immediately respond to KPIX 5’s request for a comment.
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Mandelman added that Safeway told him that the police rarely arrest someone for a property crime if they make it to the scene.
