How pizza places are protecting delivery drivers
By
WINK News
Story Created:
Jun 18, 2008 at 10:52 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Jun 19, 2008 at 12:00 AM EDT
FORT MYERS, Fla. - A Fort Myers pizza delivery man was robbed at knife point. The robbers took the cash and the food. It's the third similar incident in recent months.
The nature of the job makes them easy targets, but drivers say they're being more careful and their employers are trying to keep them safe.
"It kind of gives you a second thought about it, of making the approach, deliveries at night a little different," said pizza delivery driver, Michael Kenny.
Kenny has been delivering pizza for Two Guys Pizza for more than a year. He's never been robbed, but Kenny knows that it happens.
"It seems that more people are finding more shortcuts. And we're out here to make a living like everybody else, and to have somebody stoop to that level to take $20 or whatever the case may be, it's tough," said the driver.
According to Fort Myers Police, just Tuesday night, a Papa Johns pizza delivery driver was robbed at knife point when trying to make a delivery along Lucille Avenue. The crooks took off with $20 and pizza.
The owner of Two Guys says their drivers never carry more than $20, go to a specific delivery area, and drive unmarked cars. "That's the way it's always been and it is somewhat safer. It's not out there saying, hey, come get me," said owner, Tiffany Doherty.
All safeguards, just in case.
But for Kenny, the thought of what could be is not enough to make him stop.
"To be honest with you, I'm more scared of gas prices and the regular, everyday, Southwest Florida traffic than I am of anything else," said the delivery driver.
Other pizza places also limit the number of deliveries, make sure they get a phone number for the customer, and try to know exactly where the driver is going.