Long Beach Vons closes self-checkout lanes after city passes new law

Four Vons locations in Long Beach have closed their self-checkout lanes after the city passed a new law aimed at curbing theft at local grocery and drug stores.

Under the "Safe Stores are Staffed Stores" ordinance, stores must have one employee for every three self-checkout lanes. Additionally, customers can only pay for up to 15 items, and items that require ID verification or removal of theft-prevention measures cannot be processed through the self-serve stations.

Long Beach Councilwoman Tunua Thrash-Ntuk said leaders aimed to provide a work environment where employees feel like they have "the ability to protect themselves," especially against people "looking to steal" or attempting to harass an employee.

With workers supervising fewer machines, the union that represents grocery store