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Santa Ana adopts self-checkout rules at some retail stores. What shoppers need to know
New self-checkout rules are coming to Santa Ana retail stores next month in an effort to target theft.
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Justin Tallis
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Getty Images
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Topline:
The Santa Ana City Council unanimously approved an ordinance last night requiring retail stores to staff self-checkout lanes in efforts to improve public safety and address theft.
What we know: The approved ordinance requires that retail stores staff at least one employee to monitor self-checkout lanes. Shoppers will be limited to 15 items or fewer, and they would not be able to purchase items that require I.D., like alcohol. Long Beach and Costa Mesa have adopted similar ordinances.
Officials say: Mayor Valerie Amezcua said the ordinance is an attempt at protecting shoppers and employees, not at driving businesses out of Santa Ana.
“Similar to Costa Mesa and Long Beach, where we look at the employees and what benefits them,” Amezcua said, “I want to make sure our Santa Ana residents go home safely, and they don’t put themselves in danger because, again, the quality of their lives matter to me.”
Pushback from grocers: In several letters addressed to the council, officials representing grocers urged officials to deny the motion.
“Unfortunately, we would be forced to consider passage of this ordinance at this time a dismissal of the importance of grocery and a denial of policy consideration in a fair and open manner,” Tim James, director of local government relations for the California Grocers Association, wrote.
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What’s the timeline? The new rules will go into effect next month.
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