The owner of a Philadelphia gas station recently reported he had hired a security team armed with AR-15s, shotguns and Kevlar vests to combat the city’s ongoing crime crisis.
Neil Patel, who oversees a Karco gas station in North Philadelphia, said he hired state SITE agents to protect his employees and customers following several recent incidents in which his store was ransacked.
Patel told a local Fox outlet that criminals “are forcing us to shut down security, high-level security, state level.”
“We are fed up with this nonsense; Robberies, drug dealing, hanging out, gangs,” he added.
Neil Patel, owner of North Philly-based Karco, said the community was “tired of this nonsense; Robberies, drug dealing” and gangs that make it almost impossible to run neighborhood businesses badly damaged by repeated thefts
SITE boss Andre Boyer said his team is armed and trained to protect customers’ property by any means necessary. Patel says he no longer has a problem with neighborhood criminals since he added extra security
Patel shared a picture of his gas station store following a recent looting by a local criminal gang. His ATM was also dragged out of the store by local hooded criminals
Local resident Korrie Barry said she “supports the owner” and his decision to call in the security team, adding that she would contact people who “live in a bad area” just trying to “get gas” without committing a crime Facing danger sympathizes
Patel said he has not had a problem with criminal confrontations since hiring the SITE agents
The small business owner said he was recently pressured into hiring the security team after a group of young people vandalized his business and stole his ATM. He said his car was also damaged by local criminals.
Patel shared images and footage of a ransacked store, hooded criminals hauling the ATM out of the store, and his car with slashed tires and a smashed window.
Most of the residents and neighbors of Patel and his station said they supported Patel’s decision to use visibly armed security forces.
Local resident Korrie Barry said she “supports the owner” and his decision to call in the security team, adding that she would contact people who “live in a bad area” just trying to “get gas” without committing a crime Facing danger sympathizes.
One resident said he disagreed with Patel’s decision and said he didn’t like the idea of children encountering large guards armed to the teeth.
Patel said he understands the concern but the response was motivated by criminals, who were also armed.
“I listen to them, but … violent people, they carry the guns,” he said. “I fear for the safety of my employees” and his customers.
Pennsylvania SITE State Agents can be hired as private armed event and corporate security guards.
SITE boss Andre Boyer said his team wear Kevlar and are “trained”.
“My guards go to training every other week, they’ve got it covered [guns] and with their taser they know the law,’ he said.
“We have the right to protect this property by any means necessary and by any means necessary,” he added of Patel’s business.
Despite what may once have seemed like a drastic measure, Patel says his company hasn’t had any run-ins with lawbreakers since he increased his security presence.
Patel shared images of slashed tires on his car and broken glass on the window pane, acts also committed by local criminals
A hooded criminal is seen hauling Patel’s ATM out of the Karco in North Philadelphia
Philadelphia police officers recently told the city’s mayor that they could not “keep up” with the rapidly rising crime rate
The steady stream of violent episodes prompted City Democrat leader Jim Kenney to call an emergency closed-door meeting with city officials in September to discuss ways to reduce the violence
Total violent crime in Philadelphia is up about 3 percent year-to-date, and total crime is up 23 percent since that time last year.
Robberies have skyrocketed 36.7 percent in the last year as the city’s Liberal leadership struggles with how to deal with the crime crisis.
Earlier this year, Philadelphia police appealed to the city’s mayor that they “cannot keep up” with the rapidly rising murder rate, and the mayor on Monday signed an executive order barring citizens from carrying guns in public places like parks and schools prohibits.
The lawlessness crisis in Philadelphia has gotten so bad that the city’s district attorney, the progressive Larry Krasner, is currently facing impeachment.
Earlier this month, state legislatures voted to indict Krasner over progressive policies that have contributed to Philadelphia’s tremendous rise in crime.
In a near-partisan vote, members of the state assembly voted 107 to 85 to continue the state’s first impeachment trial in 30 years.
State Republicans, whose majority has shrunk by a seat this year, will need the support of at least some State Senate Democrats to secure the two-thirds majority needed to impeach Krasner.