Philly gas station owner hires security guards armed with AR-15s and dressed in kevlar vests

A Philadelphia gas station owner recently reported that he hired a security team armed with AR-15s and shotguns and clad in Kevlar vests as he fights to combat the city’s ongoing crime crisis.

Neil Patel, who oversees a Karco gas station in North Philadelphia, said he hired SITE state troopers to protect his employees and customers after several recent incidents during which his store was looted.

Patel told a local fox outlet that the criminals are ‘forcing us to hire security, high level security, state level’.

We are tired of this nonsense; robbery, drug dealing, hanging around, gangs,’ he added.

SITE chief Andre Boyer said his team is armed and trained to protect clients’ property by any means necessary. Patel says he hasn’t had a problem with neighborhood criminals since he added extra security.

Patel shared a picture of his gas station store after a recent looting by a local criminal gang. His ATM was also taken from the store by hooded local criminals.

Local resident Korrie Barry said she “supports the owner” and his decision to hire the security team, adding that she sympathizes with people who “live in a bad area” and are just trying to “get gas” without facing danger. criminal.

Patel said he hasn’t had a problem with criminal confrontation since he hired SITE agents.

The small business owner said he was recently pressured to hire the security team after a group of youths vandalized his business and robbed his ATM. He said his car had also been damaged by area criminals.

Patel shared photos and videos of a looted store, hooded criminals taking the ATM out of the store, and his car with ripped tires and a smashed window.

Most local residents and neighbors of Patel and his station said they supported Patel’s decision to have visibly armed security personnel.

Local resident Korrie Barry said she “supports the owner” and his decision to hire the security team, adding that she sympathizes with people who “live in a bad area” and are just trying to “get gas” without facing danger. criminal.

One resident said he was opposed to Patel’s decision and said he did not like the idea of ​​children being met by large, heavily armed guards.

Patel said he understands the concern, but the response is motivated by criminals who are also armed.

“I listen to them, but… violent people carry their weapons,” he said. ‘I fear for the safety of my employees’ as well as that of their clients.

Pennsylvania SITE State Agents It can be hired as private armed security for events and companies.

SITE boss Andre Boyer said his team wears Kevlar and “are trained.”

‘My guards go to training every two weeks, they are proficient with [guns] and with their Taser, they know the law,’ he said.

“We have the right to protect this property by any means necessary, and any force necessary to protect it,” he added of Patel’s business.

Despite what, at an earlier time, may have seemed like a drastic measure, Patel says his business hasn’t had any run-ins with lawbreakers since he beefed up his security presence.

Patel shared photos of broken tires on his car and broken glass on the window guard, acts also committed by local criminals.

A hooded criminal is seen dragging Patel’s ATM outside the North Philadelphia Karco

Philadelphia police officers recently told the city’s mayor that they cannot “keep up” with the rapidly rising crime rate.

The steady stream of violent episodes prompted the city’s Democratic leader, Jim Kenney, to call an emergency closed-door meeting with city officials to discuss ways to reduce violence in September.

Violent crime as a whole is up 3 percent year-to-date in Philadelphia. Crime overall is up 23 percent from this time last year.

Robberies have soared 36.7 percent over the past year as the city’s liberal leadership grapples with the crime crisis.

Earlier this year, Philadelphia police appealed to the city’s mayor saying they “can’t keep up” with the rapidly rising homicide rate, and the mayor signed an order Monday that will ban citizens from carrying guns in public places like parks and schools.

The lawlessness crisis in Philadelphia has become so dire that the city’s district attorney, the progressive Larry Krasner, is currently facing impeachment.

Earlier this month, state lawmakers voted to impeach Krasner for progressive policies that have contributed to Philadelphia’s soaring crime.

In a quasi-partisan vote, members of the state assembly voted 107-85 to go ahead with what would be the state’s first impeachment trial in 30 years.

State Republicans, whose majority was cut by one seat this year, will need the support of at least some state Senate Democrats to achieve the two-thirds majority needed to remove Krasner.