#new The Walgreens that a Chicago Alderman demanded be criminally charged for closing, has reported losing over $1 Million at that location last year alone, including $400,000 that was spent on security guards that failed to stop the theft.
Alderman William Hall demanded the charges against Walgreens for closing a Chatham neighborhood store plagued by massive theft and violence, calling it “first-degree corporate abandonment”
However, the company shut down the store because of the non-stop theft and violent attacks on employees.
Employees faced repeated incidents of people jumping counters to steal liquor and cigarettes, and lock boxes for merchandise were routinely destroyed.
Store manager Lonnie Fuqua said the daily endurance of it all wore people down: “We’ve had people jump across the counters… That wears us down. Not so much the financial piece but the endurance of that day in and day out.”
Chatham is a predominantly Black/African American neighborhood on the South Side.
According to recent data it is:
92-93% Black,
1-2% White,
3-4% Hispanic, and
under 1% Asian
The company saying,
“Despite a range of efforts, including previous operating adjustments, these ongoing safety challenges have made it increasingly difficult to maintain a secure environment for our team members and customers. While this was not an easy decision, safety must remain our top priority.”
They are offering transfers for employees, automatic prescription transfers to a store about 1.3 miles away, free delivery for seniors on eligible meds for 90 days, and mail options.
Walgreens has closed multiple South and West Side stores in recent years because of theft and violence issues, part of a nationwide plan to close up to 1,200 stores.
Chicago has seen retail theft surge under soft-on-crime policies, progressive prosecutors, and lax enforcement that conservatives have warned would drive businesses out.
Residents like Carla Germany complained about inconvenience for seniors who don’t drive. Daycare owner Latonya Mitchell called it unfair to kids and families needing meds for ADHD and asthma – however critics say that if they want stores to stay in their neighborhoods, people in the community need to stop committing such rampant crime and start holding each other accountable.
