Nordstrom said downtown “has changed dramatically over the past few years, which has impacted the flow of customers to our stores and our ability to operate successfully,” without specifically citing public safety concerns. in a memo.
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, which owns the Westfield shopping center where Nordstrom is closing, was more outspoken, with a spokesperson accusing the city of ‘unsafe conditions’ and a ‘lack of enforcement against activities’. endemic criminals”.
These claims are supported by crime data that shows retail theft has increased in San Francisco in recent years. But some measures of criminal activity such as 911 calls to Market and Fifth streets are below pre-pandemic levels, suggesting there is less foot traffic and shopper activity, which which in turn can fuel a perception of heightened danger.
Statewide data shows that San Francisco has a high rate of shoplifting reports compared to the rest of California and neighboring counties in the Bay Area.
According to FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data, the city had 304 shoplifting reports per 100,000 residents in 2021, up 14.7% from 2019’s 265 reports per 100,000 residents. and nearly double 2020’s 162 reports per 100,000 population.
By contrast, California’s rate in 2021, the most recent data available, was 163 per 100,000 population, which remains below the 2019 level of 228 reports per 100,000 population and was stable from 2020.
Reports of shoplifting fell statewide in 2020 as many retailers and malls were closed for in-person shopping during pandemic health orders.
Pedestrians walk on Market Street in San Francisco past the Nordstrom Rack which has announced its closure.
Lea Suzuki/Associated PressAcross the bay, Alameda County saw reported shoplifting rates drop from 162 in 2020 to 222 per 100,000 population in 2021, but still below the 2021 level of 228. To the south, Santa Clara County had 115 reports per 100,000 population, stable from 2020 and below the 2019 rate of 155.
“San Francisco stands out compared to the rest of the state,” said Magnus Lofstrom, director of criminal justice policy and senior fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California, a nonpartisan think tank, which provided the data.
While property crime is relatively high in San Francisco, violent crime rates are relatively low compared to other major US cities, according to data from local police districts.
Annual murders have increased in San Francisco during the pandemic, but that matches an upward trend statewide and nationally, Lofstrom said.
Data on shoplifting comes with caveats.
San Francisco is a center for tourism and — even more so before the pandemic — a destination for office commuters who live outside the city, increasing its daytime population. This means that there are more victims and potential perpetrators of crimes that are not counted in the total population of the city, which increases the crime rate compared to cities that do not see as many visitors , Lofstrom said.
San Francisco police also said shoplifting was underreported. “These are incomplete data. Many incidents go unreported to law enforcement,” Lofstrom said.
It’s unclear how much of a role public safety played in Nordstrom’s decision to close. Another major retailer, Whole Foods, cited safety concerns when it temporarily closed its largest San Francisco store at Eighth and Market streets last month.
Saks Off 5th on Market Street in San Francisco, is among a cluster of businesses that have announced their closure.
Gabrielle Lurie/The ChronicleAnother measure of crime is the number of 911 calls to a particular intersection in the city.
On Fifth and Market streets — adjacent to Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack and Saks Off 5th — annual 911 calls dropped from 3,951 in 2019 to 1,163 in 2020 and continued to drop with 913 in 2021 and 897 in 2022. This doesn’t necessarily mean the area is safer, but is likely linked to lower foot traffic volumes following pandemic health restrictions, fewer tourists, and remote working.
Reports of larceny, which include shoplifting, have increased in the Tenderloin Police Station area, which includes Westfield Shopping Centre, but remain below pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
In the first four months of 2023, these reports increased by 22% to 567 incidents compared to 465 incidents in the same four months in 2022. But 2019 saw more reports: 2,535.
When it comes to reducing retail crime, there is no obvious solution, Lofstrom said. Part of the challenge is that there is no clear data on the percentage of thefts perpetrated by organized criminals or those seeking to profit from the goods, unlike impoverished people who steal food or other goods. essential as a means of survival.
“It’s hard to say exactly what can be done about it,” he said. “Research strongly indicates that higher police numbers deter theft.”
In March, the oversight board approved $25 million to fund additional overtime for the police. Supervisor Matt Dorsey, who represents South of Market and the Westfield shopping center area, is working on a possible ballot measure that would increase police numbers.
“There has been a recruiting and retention challenge,” Lofstrom said of the police. “It’s something we see around California and something that goes for San Francisco as well.”
On Wednesday, traders around nearby Union Square sought to highlight signs of economic progress for the area, which included a free gift of tulips wrapped in March, more tourists and some new store openings.
“We are more committed than ever to brick and mortar in the neighborhood,” Lauren Ellis, director and associate of CK Contemporary, an art gallery celebrating its 10th anniversary, said in a statement. “We are excited about the momentum that has been built in the neighborhood as we emerge from the past difficult years.”
At noon on a rainy Wednesday, it was quiet outside at the Market Street entrance to the Westfield shopping centre. A security guard stood inside the door looking out.
“I was surprised by the lack of people. I thought it would be a lot busier,” said Colin Burns, a visitor from Wellington, New Zealand, who was exiting the mall.
Arum Kathuria of San Francisco was not surprised to learn Nordstrom would close and expected other retailers to follow. “Shoplifting and store security are the main reason for this,” he guessed. “I’ve seen shoplifting, a lot.”
Natasha Burr of San Francisco came downtown to take a look after hearing Nordstrom was closing. But she won’t miss it.
“I think malls are a terrible idea,” she said as she walked in. “I’m interested in them taking the mall and turning it into housing and mixed use.”
Mayor of London Breed and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Aaron Peskin have offered to make it easier to open up offices, entertainment and other uses in vacant commercial space. The planning commission is due to vote on the measure on Thursday.
One couple who didn’t seem fazed by reports of crime in the mall or on the streets were Maria Magana and Gabriel Teele, who traveled from Richmond.
“I feel like it’s worse in Richmond than it is here,” Magana said. “Public safety is a big issue, but it’s not a big issue for us. We are used to it,” Teele said.
Contact Roland Li: roland.li@sfchronicle.com; Twitter: @rolandlisf, contact Sam Whiting: swhiting@sfchronicle.com