California’s new retail theft laws come at a time when SF small business owners say they need more support than ever

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday announced a new plan to help curb retail theft across California. signed a package of 10 bills into law to combat violent robbery, vehicle theft, retail crime and the sale of stolen goods throughout the state.

San Francisco has been no stranger to retail crime.

RELATED: Governor Newsom signs 10 bills to combat retail crime, auto theft, and sales of stolen goods

“Retail theft is definitely out of control,” said Alejandro Jimenez of Randa’s Market.

From major luxury retailers repeatedly hit by theft and robbery to small business owners wondering when they will be hit again, some say they need support now more than ever.

“Every day is a problem,” said Mariana Bakana, owner of Bakana.

It’s been just three months since Two thieves broke into Mariana Bakana’s clothing store in the Cow Hollow neighborhood of San Francisco.

They took more than $43,000 worth of inventory and Bakana’s sense of security.

VIDEO: Thieves steal around $36,000 worth of merchandise from a small SF clothing store

“Every day, I walk into my space, into my store, and I wonder what’s going to happen to those people who want to come back. It’s something we really need to address,” Bakana said. “I don’t feel safe inside my store.”

In the Mission District, someone tried to break into Randa Market on Wednesday night by cutting the lock on the front door.

This time the thieves did not get away with it. But this is not the first time someone has tried it..

“It seems like it’s the same people,” Jimenez said. “More than anything, it’s stressful, unnecessary and annoying because everyone is already struggling in this economy, it’s just a waste of time.”

RELATED: SF reports rise in ATM robberies; why police aren’t pursuing suspects

San Francisco experienced a dramatic increase in shoplifting incidents during the pandemic.

Videos showing organized thefts from retail stores in Union Square appeared to be more common. Ultimately, the thefts allegedly led to financial losses, contributed to store closures and forced some luxury stores to switch to appointment-only service.

Efforts to combat retail theft intensified in 2022 as the state set aside more than $200 million in grants to combat the crime.

San Francisco got $17 million in 2023.

But Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco says more help is on the way.

“It’s incredibly damaging to our retailers, to our grocery stores, to the community and we need more accountability,” Wiener said.

He wrote one of ten anti-theft bills that Gov. Newsom signed into law on Friday.

“Because if there’s no accountability, then people are just going to keep doing it and when you walk into a Walgreens or a CVS and everything’s closed, that’s just bad for the customer, for the employees, for everybody and we need to get past that,” she said.

Part of the legislation signed by Newsom also targets carjackings known as “bipping.”

Senator Wiener says this closes a loophole that existed when the district attorney had to prove that a car’s doors were locked during a robbery.