A cheesesteak restaurant in Philadelphia has hired security guards armed with assault rifles as zombified homeless drug addicts continue to plague the city.
The original Jim’s Steaks has reopened under its new name Jim’s Westand have added stricter security measures.
It comes as the city has become overwhelmed by drug crime under the leadership of Democratic District Attorney Larry Krasner, a self-described “progressive prosecutor.”
His inability to crack down led to his ouster in 2022 for “dereliction of duty,” but he remained in office after his trial was postponed indefinitely.
Jim’s West co-owner Cortez Johnson shared WPVI: ‘Violence has increased. It goes up and down.
‘You want people to feel safe and be safe. So when they come out and eat, they don’t have to worry about any kind of damage.”
Other ex-military personnel, police officers and others with law enforcement backgrounds have transitioned into certified security work for the state of Pennsylvania
The original Jim’s Steaks in west Philadelphia has made a comeback under the new name Jim’s West, adding stricter safety measures along with their new identity.
The drug and crime-ridden streets of sunny Philadelphia have taken a dramatic daily toll on community safety
The owners of Jim’s West hope the presence of armed guards with assault rifles will keep violence from entering their property.
The drug and crime-ridden streets of sunny Philadelphia have taken a dramatic daily toll on community safety.
Kensington, a neighborhood just over eight miles from Jim’s West, is known as ground zero for the city’s drug epidemic and has become an open-air drug market.
Many of these drug addicts are forced to resort to crime to survive and maintain their habits.
The owners of Jim’s West hope the presence of armed guards with assault rifles will keep violence from entering their property.
Every week, from Thursday to Sunday, the guards must stand outside the eatery, WPVI reports.
Some customers understood the need for the new increased security measures, such as resident Mario Maiale who said: “If it deters the situation, I can’t complain. I’m not a big fan of guns, but I understand it.”
Others aren’t too keen on their favorite dining spot being patrolled by armed guards.
“Now North Philly, where that gas station is, where that guy is standing out there with a machine gun, I can understand that. Here it is a bit exaggerated. Even if you have an armed guard, okay. But walking around with a machine gun is not family friendly,” said West Philadelphia customer William King.
Other local businesses, including the Karco gas station in North Philadelphia, have also hired sophisticated security to combat the crime-ridden community.
Some customers understood the need for the new increased security measures, such as resident Mario Maiale who said: “If it deters the situation, I can’t complain. I’m not a big fan of guns, but I understand it.”
Philadelphia has become overwhelmed by drug crime under the leadership of Democratic District Attorney Larry Krasner, a self-described “progressive prosecutor”
Kevin Darden, owner of Presidential Protective Services, can be seen wearing all black and a bulletproof vest standing guard outside Jim’s West.
‘It’s not just me. Typically, they are other officers who are sworn and certified by the state of Pennsylvania to do security work when they are off duty. We all come from former military, police and law enforcement backgrounds,” Darden said.
Other businesses in Philly have installed booby traps, such as hidden sprinkler systems, to ward off drug users and violent citizens.
Cheesesteak restaurants in Philadelphia have long been a place for the community to gather over tasty, greasy food, but now that must be done under tactical supervision.
Every week, from Thursday to Sunday, the guards must stand outside the eatery, WPVI reports
Customer William King described the presence of the armed guards as ‘overkill’ and ‘not family friendly’
“I’m here to protect you,” Darden said. “I’m not here to cause trouble or be that guy with a gun.”
Jim’s West CFO Saul Landers told WPVI, “Our lines are down the street, so while you’re standing here in line and interacting with other people you may not know, we have security here to keep you safe.” to hold. ‘
Landers also admitted that if the need to secure and protect your business and its customers means spending extra money for added security, he will do just that.