Rantz: City of Seattle targets business trying to stop shoplifting, not the criminals

In a move that perfectly epitomizes Seattle’s backwards approach to crime, the city is now targeting a Safeway store for its efforts to combat rampant shoplifting.

The Crown Hill Safeway has taken the logical step of closing one of its two entrances to deter thieves. It’s not the only store that’s had to resort to this inconvenience. By forcing people into or out of one entrance and exit, it’s easier for staff to monitor shoplifting. Often, the one entrance/exit is closer to where staffers are.

But instead of applauding this common-sense measure or addressing the underlying concerns about crime, the city of Seattle slapped the store with a notice of violation, according to KOMO TV.

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Why does the city of Seattle side against businesses fighting crime?

Shoplifting in Seattle has reached epidemic proportions.

Washington has ranked number one in the nation for retail theft, with a staggering 3,510 cases per 100,000 businesses. This isn’t just about a few Snickers going missing. Organized crime rings are decimating our local businesses and homeless drug addicts are stealing as a means to score their next fix.

The Crown Hill Safeway has been fighting an uphill battle against these brazen criminals. They’ve implemented extensive security measures, including relocating high-value items to a centralized, monitored location or placing them behind lock and key. These aren’t the actions of a paranoid business owner; they’re the desperate attempts of a store trying to survive in a city that has all but given up on law and order.

But apparently, that’s not good enough for Seattle’s Department of Construction and Inspections.

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How else should Seattle businesses mitigate crime?

The city department decided that Safeway’s crime prevention efforts violate the store’s operating agreement, which requires both doors to be open during normal business hours. It’s bureaucratic tunnel vision, prioritizing the letter of the law over its spirit – and over the safety and economic well-being of our community.

Without these security measures, Safeway would likely face two options: raise prices to offset losses from theft or close the store entirely because there’s only so much crime a business can withstand. We’ve already seen this play out across Seattle. Goodwill was forced to shutter its South Lake Union and University District stores due to “escalating theft and safety concerns.” Target and Bartell Drugs have also closed locations, citing similar issues.

The impact of these closures goes beyond mere inconvenience. They create food deserts and eliminate jobs. Is that really what Seattle wants?

Seattle embraces and emboldens criminals

The city’s actions send a clear message to criminals: we care more about keeping both doors open for minor convenience than we do about stopping you from stealing. It’s an open invitation for thieves to continue their crime sprees, knowing that businesses will be hamstrung in their efforts to stop them.

The irony is that by closing one entrance, Safeway is actually making the store safer for law-abiding customers. As one shopper, Mary Marasco, pointed out to KOMO TV, “If the shoplifters aren’t going in there, it protects the customers too.”

The city of Seattle clearly doesn’t abide by the adage that the customer is always right.

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Perhaps the city of Seattle could address the why behind the entrance closure

What’s particularly galling is that the city seems more interested in potentially fining Safeway than in addressing the root cause of the problem: the rampant crime that’s forcing businesses to take these measures in the first place.

Where are the increased police patrols? The crackdowns on organized retail crime? The prosecution of repeat offenders?

Instead, we get this bureaucratic bullying. It’s a perfect example of why businesses are fleeing Seattle. Who wants to live or operate in a city that punishes you for protecting your customers and staff?

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Hey Seattle, do you want to support business and neighborhoods, or not?

If Seattle truly wants to revitalize its neighborhoods and support local businesses, it needs to get its priorities straight.

Stop harassing stores for trying to prevent theft. Start cracking down on the criminals who are making these security measures necessary in the first place. Until then, we’ll continue to see more empty storefronts, higher prices, and a city that’s increasingly unlivable for law-abiding citizens.

It’s time for Seattle to decide: does it stand with businesses and residents who want safe, thriving communities, or with the thieves who are tearing our city apart? The choice should be obvious. Unfortunately, based on the city’s treatment of the Crown Hill Safeway, it seems our leaders have already made their decision – and it’s the wrong one.

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