Hebrew News – The crime figures that led to the closing of the Whole Foods branch in San Francisco have been revealed

2023-05-01 16:40:28

The crime figures that led to the closing of the Whole Foods branch in San Francisco have been revealed

Over 550 calls were made by the branch employees of the supermarket chain, in which they reported a suspect with a machete, drug addicts with overdoses in the bathroom, homeless people defecating on the floor, and more

Particularly disturbing data was published in the New York Times, according to which employees at Whole Foods Market in San Francisco reported hundreds of violent incidents in the past year – so much so that the store closed its doors after just over a year of operation.

According to the publications, 568 emergency calls were recorded from the store over 13 months, in which chaotic incidents such as criminals throwing food, shouting, fights and those who tried to defecate on the floor were reported.

(Photo: Getty Images)

“A male with a machete returned to the store,” it was claimed in one call to 911, and in another it was said by one of the employees: “One of the security guards has just been attacked.”

In another conversation, it was stated that security guards of the supermarket branch were attacked by a man holding a knife, after which he sprayed the workers with a fire extinguisher.

According to reports, last September, one person overdosed on fentanyl and methamphetamine in the bathroom.

During the 13 months that Whole Foods Market operated downtown, at least 14 people were arrested, and most were charged with theft or assault.

Local police noted that offenders were recorded leaving the store with large amounts of alcohol, and that more than 250 baskets were stolen from the store, before the store added another 50 to the inventory – and these also disappeared quickly.

As early as October, the store reduced its operating hours in La because of the many thefts and hostile visitors, one of the store managers told the San Francisco Standard. A month later, administrators changed their restroom accessibility rules after employees found a large number of syringes and pipes.

“If we feel we can ensure the safety of our team members in the store, we will consider reopening,” a company spokesperson said.

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