Thanks for the tips. Here’s why police were at 42nd/Morgan in Morgan Junction this past hour: They were dispatched to a report of a strong-arm robbery at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) – a shoplift turned violent, with the would-be thief/robber reportedly physically fighting with a store employee. Shortly after arriving, police arrested a woman at a bus stop just east of the store; SFD medics were called but weren’t commenting at the scene.
Great job Thriftway employee! I do most of my shopping there, partly because they try to keep the front of the store and parking lot clear of trouble and actually stop shoplifters. Safeway, and to a lesser extent Qfc, will not even confront or acknowledge blatant theft. Employees have a deer in headlight look at people walking out with items in hand. We all pay for theft eventually
The Junction QFC may be a bit on the laissez faire side when it comes to shoplifting, but the Westwood Village QFC usually has a security guard standing in front of the checking stations, standing by the doors, or roaming the store. Now as to whether they put up a fight when somebody shoplifts, I don’t know. Have not been witness to a blatant theft in the store even though they happen.
That must explain the use of cameras in the aisles. 🙄
I personally try to avoid QFC and Safeway because of this kind of theft: https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2021-05-16/kroger-blasted-for-ending-hazard-pay-gave-ceo-22-million
I didn’t necessarily avoid Kroger stores in Los Angeles, but I ending up doing most of my shopping at one of the many fantastic farmer’s markets as the produce was better. (And trust me, Los Angeleno’s go to farmer’s markets to seriously shop, not just to walk around savoring the ambiance.) Too, if you’ve ever been to Los Angeles, you know there are annoying security guards everywhere, from mom and pop to chain stores, sometimes two or three in a large supermarket.
Agree with you TJ. I hope the store employee is OK physically and emotionally. If store employees attempt to stop the shoplifters and the shoplifter fights back, seems more likely SPD will try to find them. And when located the shoplift can get locked up, for a short time anyway. There are so many places to get free food – the nerve of people stealing! And double the nerve to fight back when caught thieving!
A lot of places train employees not to confront a thief because of the risk and many companies have insurance for theft. life/wellbeing > stuff
The employees at Safeway and QFC make, at best, minimum wage. I don’t blame them one bit for letting shoplifters go. Would you risk your life for a case of beer and a bag of chips – for minimum wage? I sure as hell wouldn’t. These employees are not trained officers or loss prevention professionals. Why is it up to them to stop theives? If you see shoplifters in action, do you jump in to stop them?
I have never “stopped” them but I do say something to their face like “why don’t you go get a job like everyone else and pay for your groceries”! And all I’ve ever gotten back is the finger or a snotty look .
I was of the understanding the QFC and Safeway employees were unionized and were above min wage plus benefits.
That said, the Junction QFC has really gone downhill in the last 10 years. QFC in particular, but also Junction Safeway, feel sketchy too often, my spouse won’t go anywhere near the QFC. It used to be a decent store, but is now sketchy and we just order online for anything you can get there. PCC or Met when we want better quality produce, Costco for meats, TJ’s for treats.
Seems like a lot of gunfire and violence this last week or so. This last year and a half has been tough on everyone. It’s upsetting to see so much anger. But I guess it’s everywhere in the world right now. Trying to stay positive.
I’m glad I wasn’t there during that burglary. My hypervigilantism would have kicked in without thinking things through. I’m not young enough to react as fast as I’d like, but I do not like being threatened or seeing other people threatened.
The “paywall” is how the WSB can continue to publish. They need to get paid too, it’s their job, not a hobby.
No, we don’t have a paywall, have never had one, and will never have one – our revenue is entirely from (cheap) advertising sold to (local) businesses. The commenter is referring to the latimes.com link somebody shared upthread. – TR
This is why our groceries cost so much? Yes it’s one reason and the other is the Pandemic, the Pandemic has made everything go up in cost. And as for the “QFC’s and Safeways” not stopping the shoplifters…this is exactly why, they don’t want their employees to get hurt physically or emotionally, it’s not worth it. But I must say I have seen one employee in particular at the Roxbury Safeway stop a few, you go “Reed”!This is Mrs. Graciano
We reported a year and a half ago on two Roxbury Safeway security officers getting beaten by shoplifters (which therefore became robbers). Suspects were charged.
Sorry, comment time is over.
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