Customers who want to enjoy a “Philly Cheesesteak” in Philadelphia must now do so in the presence of an officer with an assault rifle for security reasons.
Despite being known as the “City of Brotherly Love,” Philadelphia is experiencing an increase in crime rates. A situation that prompted the owners of Jim’s West Steaks & Hoagies restaurant to hire a heavily armed security guard as soon as the establishment, which had been closed since 2019, reopened.
“The violence has increased,” co-owner Cortez Johnson told WPVI. […] You want people to feel safe and secure. So when they go out and eat, they don’t have to fear any danger.”
According to the New York Post, murders are on the rise in West Philadelphia.
The security guard is present during opening hours from Thursday to Sunday. The company providing the service has stated that its employees have worked as police officers or in the army in the past.
The restaurant’s chief financial officer, Saul Landers, thinks it’s a smart decision.
“If you want to secure your business and make sure everyone is safe, you need to loosen your purse strings and spend a little more money,” he said.
According to police statistics, Philadelphia recorded the second highest murder rate in its history in 2021. However, the following year saw a 20% decline.