The impact of lawlessness in Biden’s America is being felt by besieged retailers nationwide. Now Target is shuttering nine locations across the country in the face of rampant theft and violence that Democratic city leaders have failed to address.
The company announced that next month three locations in the San Francisco/Oakland area, three in Portland, two in Seattle and one in the Harlem borough of New York City will cease operations. Their final day falls on Oct. 21.
All, as is immediately clear, are in Democratic strongholds.
Target did not pull punches or sugarcoat their reasons for abandoning these sites.
In a news release, the company said, “We cannot continue operating these stores because theft and organized retail crime are threatening the safety of our team and guests, and contributing to unsustainable business performance.”
Officials noted that a substantial investment was initially made to prevent organized theft. But even with the addition of internal security and employment of third-party services, the rampant robberies involving large groups continued.
TARGET CLOSING 9 STORES: Target will close nine stores in four states, including one in East Harlem, New York, and three in San Francisco, saying that theft and organized retail crime have threatened the safety of its workers and customers. pic.twitter.com/qBD1P81IXo
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) September 27, 2023
CEO Brian Cornell said in August that Target faced an “unacceptable amount” of theft. These incidents, he explained, became increasingly violent and risky for worker safety.
Thefts and “violence or threats of violence” skyrocketed 120% during the first five months of 2023. At the same time, company profits are expected to dive $500 million due to surging crime.
Target earlier this year said locations would stay open despite the trend, but rising criminal violence made that position untenable.
The company’s Tuesday announcement came in stark contrast to the explanations of other retailers fleeing criminal behavior. From Chicago to San Francisco, businesses are boarding up and blaming it on everything but the obvious reason.
Not Target. The company stated it is aware “that our stores serve an important role in their communities, but we can only be successful if the working and shopping environment is safe for all.”
The retailer acknowledged its locations provide jobs and services as well as create taxes vital to their areas.
The closures may provide momentum for the proposed Combating Organized Retail Crime Act. Businesses and trade associations are pushing for harsher penalties for these offenses.
This is opposite of the agendas of progressive prosecutors who continue to raise the threshold for which a person may be charged. The results of these actions are clear for all to see.
