*Due to violent crime plaguing Philadelphia, a Philadelphia cheesesteak restaurant has reopened with assault rifle-carrying security guards.
A video showing the reopening of Jim’s West Steaks & Hoagies in West Philadelphia shows heavily armed guards keeping a watchful eye.
“The violence has spiked,” co-owner Cortez Johnson told WPVI.
“You want people to feel safe and be safe. So when they come out and eat, they don’t have to worry about no type of harm,” Johnson said.
The security guards will be posted outside the eatery during business hours each week, according to WPVI.
“Our lines are down the block, so while you’re standing here in line, connecting with other people you may not know, we have security right here just to keep you guys safe,” Saul Landers, the chief financial officer of Jim’s West, told the outlet.
“If you want to secure your business and you want to make sure everyone is safe, you have to spend that extra money,” he added.
Kevon Darden, owner of Presidential Protection Services, said the security guards all have a “military, police and law enforcement background.”
“It’s not just myself, it’s usually other agents who are sworn and certified by the state of Pennsylvania to do security work when they’re off duty,” he told WPVI.
Armed robbers made off with $215 from the eatery’s register in 2015, the Philly Voice reported.
One customer said the presence of armed security is “overkill”.
“It’s a little overkill. Even if you have an armed guard, OK. But, walking around with a machine gun, it’s not family-friendly,” William King said.
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