Is Theft In New York City Really This Bad? Red Bull & Ice Cream Now Have Locks!
Shoplifting incidents have become so rampant in New York City that some stores are resorting to special locked lids on high-end ice cream containers to deter thieves. The Fairway supermarket on the Upper West Side, as well as other shops, have implemented bolted plastic tops on ice cream cartons, which can only be removed by store associates using a specific device at the checkout. Signs at Fairway explain that the protective lock is intended to help minimize costs, but apologizes for any inconvenience caused.
Customers at the affected stores view these security measures as a reflection of the current state of affairs, with one shopper acknowledging that shoplifting has become a prevalent issue in the city. Cashiers have mentioned that the ice cream is delivered with locked lids already in place and can be easily removed using a plastic device. Other Manhattan stores, including Duane Reade and CVS locations, have also resorted to chaining or padlocking freezer doors to safeguard ice cream products, as thieves have targeted these items in the past.
These security measures are an unfortunate response to the ongoing problem of theft, with stores taking precautions to protect their merchandise and prevent financial losses. However, as you would expect, some customers find the additional steps inconvenient. Having a lock on a $6 tub of ice cream is probably not even worth the time for some customers who will simply not buy items which have been chained together.
This does however raise the larger question of what is happening to NYC in general. If simple grocery items are being put behind lock and key, what does this mean for the future of shopping in the city? Does crime need to be punished more? Or are stores simply overreacting?
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