More Rite Aid stores in Southern California are locking up items NBC Los Angeles [Video]

As the smash-and-grab trend plagued business across Los Angeles, more big retailers are stepping up security to keep their merchandise safe. 

The Rite Aid store on Long Beach Boulevard in Compton is one of the stores that began to lock up almost every single item under lock and key.

From paper plates, to candy, Ziploc bags and soda, products that are under $10 were all locked in the store shelves.

“It’s better that way, I guess,” Gary Hildreth, a Compton resident, said, while acknowledging shopping takes longer because of the locked shelves. “It takes a little bit over 10 minutes for them to help me. They have to let you in to get it.”

Another shopper, who declined to be identified, said it was a good idea to keep products locked in.

“Hopefully I don’t see too much crazy things anymore with this,” the shopper said.

A Rite Aid store …