San Francisco Target locks aisles of products behind security glass amid city's rampant shoplifting crisis

San Francisco's shoplifting crisis has pushed retailers to take additional precautions to prevent theft, including Target, which has reportedly started locking large sections of its products behind security glass.

A Target location in San Francisco has overhauled several aisles by installing security glass, according to a video posted to TikTok on April 20, WNCT-TV reported.

While it is common to see some items such as razors, baby formula, and other costly products stored behind security panels, the San Francisco Target location has locked up nearly all health and beauty products, including shaving supplies, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash, deodorant, lotion, shampoo, and body wash.

The San Francisco Standard confirmed that the retailer has locked up health, beauty, and grooming products.

While it is unclear when the Target location began installing the additional security measures, WNCT reported that some products had been locked away since at least October.

Ashley Hesslein, a San Francisco resident, told the Standard, "This Target didn't used to have anything locked up, but six months ago, they started locking all sorts of stuff up, like toothpaste and laundry detergent."

Hesslein noted that the store's added security has made shopping trips more difficult and time-consuming.

A Target spokesperson confirmed that additional products have been placed behind locked security screens to deter theft.

"Like other retailers, organized retail crime is a concern across our business. We're taking proactive measures to keep our teams and guests safe while deterring and preventing theft," a Target spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "These mitigation efforts include hiring additional security guards, adding third-party guard services at select locations, and using new technologies and tools to protect merchandise from being stolen."

"We are working with legislators, law enforcement, and retail industry partners to support public policy that would help achieve our goals of creating a safe environment in our stores and keeping our doors open in communities across the country," the spokesperson added.

In 2021 and 2020, San Francisco/Oakland was ranked the second-most impacted by organized retail crime, according to the National Retail Federation's 2022 Retail Security Survey. Los Angeles was the most impacted metropolitan area from 2018 through 2021.

The report stated that the products most frequently stolen included "apparel, health and beauty, electronics/appliances, accessories, food and beverage, footwear, home furnishings and housewares, home improvement, eyewear, office supplies, infant care, toys and other."

Earlier this month, Whole Foods announced that it would be closing its San Francisco location, citing increased crime and drug use in the area.

"To ensure the safety of our Team Members, we have made the difficult decision to close the Trinity store for the time being," a Whole Foods spokesperson stated. "All team members will be transferred to one of our nearby locations."

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