Police are totally unable to control the anarchy in Philadelphia so merchants are providing their own heavily armed security. One gas station owner, for instance, recently hired what amounts to a squad of mercenaries. Armed with “AR-15s or shotguns and decked out in Kevlar,” they’ll do what it takes to “protect his establishment from the city’s rampant crime.”
Heavily armed private security
Merchants and residents everywhere pay taxes meant to finance police security protection but in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, it’s nothing but a racket. Retailers and homeowners shell out the cash and don’t get any protection.
Meanwhile, the criminals are protected from prosecution by liberal Democrat policies. Left with no other choice, frightened citizens are banding together in vigilante groups or, if they can afford it, providing their own protection.
Neil Patel operates a Karco gas station at Broad and Clearfield streets in North Philadelphia. He “recruited Pennsylvania S.I.T.E. state agents to protect his employees and customers after his store had been repeatedly ransacked.”
A North Philly owner says he’s had enough violent crime at his gas station so he’s hired these guys to protect his customers and store.
Does this make you feel safer? Or uncomfortable. pic.twitter.com/ZOXvUxTvyW
— Jason Martinez (@JasonFox29) December 6, 2022
The private firm offers patrols for events as well as other services. City officials and their lax polices on crime are “forcing” his firm to hire the “state level” security commandos.
“We are tired of this nonsense,” Patel declares. “Robbery, drug trafficking, hanging around, gangs.” The decision to bring in heavily armed security was easy after “young people recently vandalized his business and stole its ATM.”
His “car has also been vandalized by criminals in the area.” Once he decided to go with a private protection firm, he wanted to make it a highly visible deterrent to all the neighborhood gangsters.
Proficient and know the law
Security Chief Andre Boyer issued a statement to local news assuring the public they’re qualified professionals, not just a group of gun toting Second Amendment supporters. They’re also ready for an attack, if the local gang-bangers decide to get cute.
“We wear Kevlar, we are trained, my guards go to training every other week, they’re proficient with [their guns] and with their taser, they know the law.”
Reaction to the presence of a mercenary security force defending the local gas and convenience store is mixed. Pretty much depending on which side of the political spectrum and criminal justice system the observer is on.
#Portland #RetailTheft #Antifa
Portland Retail Merchants "In Peril" and Declaring Defeat – https://t.co/7BVjnmLZ5S via @Shareaholic— Kilgore Trout (@Kilgore73862013) November 30, 2022
Ordinary law abiding local residents are thrilled. Local shoplifters and drug dealers aren’t real happy about the goons. It might give other merchants similar ideas and they would be out of a job.
Mr. Patel has been hearing both sides of the issue and at the end of the day, takes responsibility for making what he believes is the right decision to protect his customers and employees.
“I listen to them, but according to some people, violent people, they carry the guns, they’re not afraid of them? This is the protection for the neighborhood and the customers.” He also pointed out that “his business has stopped experiencing any incidents of loitering or other crimes since he beefed up security.“