A Philadelphia cheesesteak restaurant has hired guards armed with assault rifles as zombified homeless drug addicts continue to plague the city.
The original Jim’s Steaks has reopened under the new name Jim’s Westand have added stricter security measures.
The city has been overwhelmed by drug-related crime under Democratic District Attorney Larry Krasner, a self-described “progressive prosecutor.”
His failure to crack down led to his ouster in 2022 for “dereliction of duty,” but he remained in office after his trial was postponed indefinitely.
Cortez Johnson, co-owner of Jim’s West, recounted it WPVI: “The violence has increased.” It goes up and down.
“You want people to feel safe and safe. So when they come out and eat, they don’t have to worry about anything happening to them.”
Other former military officers, police officers and others with law enforcement experience have moved on to certified security work for the state of Pennsylvania
The original Jim’s Steaks in West Philadelphia has made a comeback under its new name, Jim’s West, and has implemented stricter safety measures alongside its new identity
The drug- and crime-ridden streets of sunny Philadelphia take a dramatic toll on community safety every day
The owners of Jim’s West hope the presence of armed guards with assault rifles will deter violence from invading their turf
The drug- and crime-ridden streets of sunny Philadelphia take a dramatic toll on community safety every day.
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 were forced to turn to crime to survive and maintain their habits.
The owners of Jim’s West hope the presence of armed guards with assault rifles will deter violence from invading their turf.
Every week, Thursday through Sunday, guards are assigned to stand outside the establishment, WPVI reported.
Some customers recognized the need for the new increased security measures, like resident Mario Maiale, who said: “If it’s a deterrent, I can’t complain.” “I’m not a big fan of guns, but I understand.”
Others aren’t particularly thrilled about having their favorite casual dining spot guarded by armed guards.
“Now North Philly, where that gas station is, where there’s that guy out there with a machine gun, I can understand that.” It’s a bit exaggerated here. Even if you have an armed security 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 guards to combat the crime-ridden community.
Some customers recognized the need for the new increased security measures, like resident Mario Maiale, who said: “If it’s a deterrent, I can’t complain.” “I’m not a big fan of guns, but I understand.”
Philadelphia is overwhelmed by drug crime under Democratic District Attorney Larry Krasner, a self-described “progressive prosecutor.”
Kevin Darden, who owns the Presidential Protection Services, is seen wearing all black with a bulletproof vest at the station outside Jim’s West.
“It’s not just about myself.” Typically, it’s other agents who are sworn and certified by the state of Pennsylvania to do security work when they’re not on duty. “We all have ex-military, police and law enforcement backgrounds,” Darden said.
Other businesses in Philly have installed booby traps such as hidden sprinklers to ward off drug users and violent citizens.
Cheesesteak restaurants in Philadelphia have long been a place where the community gathered over good, greasy food, but now it must happen under tactical supervision.
Every week, Thursday through Sunday, guards are assigned to stand outside the establishment, WPVI reported
Customer William King described the presence of armed guards as “excessive” and “not family friendly.”
“I’m here to protect you,” Darden said. “I’m not here to cause trouble or be the guy with the gun.”
Jim’s West CFO Saul Landers told WPVI, “Our lines are at the end of the block. So while you’re standing here in line, connecting with other people you may not know, we have security here just to keep you safe.”‘
Landers also admitted that if the need to secure and protect your business and its customers meant spending extra money on additional security, that’s exactly what he would do.
