bolson

I was surprisingly unwelcome at the downtown Ralph's recently. I live downtown and shop there frequently but for the first time there was a sign at the door saying that backpacks and luggage must be left at the front desk. I've gotten used to this kind of thing at book stores and music stores, but I wasn't prepared for this on a small errand to pick up some ice cream and cheese. I was confronted by store security but feeling insulted I refused their terms and angrily stormed out of the store.

How big is Ralph's shoplifting problem? Do they lose more to shoplifting than they'll lose to inconvenienced shoppers going elsewhere? Is this roundabout discrimination against Santa Barbara's urban campers? How will this impact students and other backpack wearers?