Grocery Outlet is deploying facial recognition technology in some Bay Area stores to combat a severe shoplifting epidemic in California. This move comes as theft in the state has risen 50 percent since the pandemic, forcing retailers to increase security or close stores. The system, called SAFR, alerts customers with signs upon entry, aiming to inform them about its use. While some, like former retail manager June Guerrero, support the technology as a necessary overdue response to rampant theft, others express concerns. Shopper Barbara Jackson feels it invades her privacy, while Steve Burdette worries about potential misidentification of innocent customers. SAFR's president, Charisse Jacques, clarifies that the system is not mass surveillance; it retains data on suspected shoplifters for a limited time and does not share information with external agencies. Despite these reassurances, customer reactions remain mixed, highlighting a tension between security needs and privacy concerns. This initiative shows retailers seeking advanced methods to mitigate significant financial losses from organized retail crime.