A Philadelphia gas station owner, disheartened by the city’s Democratic leadership’s ineffective policies that had led to a rising crime rate, hired a team of armed guards with long rifles and tactical gear.
“We are completely tired from all this nuisance, stealing, robberies, ATM missing. In the middle of the night, nobody feels safe, and we are completely losing a lot of customers. They are forcing us to hire the security, high-level security, state level.” Neil Patel, owner of the KARCO Gas Station in North Philadelphia said.
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.
— Jason Martinez (@JasonFox29) December 6, 2022
Does this make you feel safer? Or uncomfortable. pic.twitter.com/ZOXvUxTvyW
He further stated, “We are tired of this nonsense; robbery, drug trafficking, hanging around, gangs.”
Andre Boyer, head of PA Site Agency Security, said it was out of control. What is happening in the city of Philadelphia right now is pandemonium. Criminals have the passkey to the sea.
Boyer said consumers have been grateful since he started offering insurance at gas stations three weeks ago. The manager added that the issue had been resolved.
⚠️My story last night: this is what things have come to for one North Philly gas station…armed security guards in tactical gear to keep customers safe ⚠️@NBCPhiladelphia #Philadelphia #crime #news #report pic.twitter.com/h0Ij4Edt1u
— Johnny Archer (@JohnnyNBC10) December 3, 2022
“People want change, people deserve it. And I’m telling you, the people are very grateful to the owner for doing this,” Boyer further noted.
July was Philadelphia’s most violent month of 2022, with a total of 60 murders. The city saw a total of 52 people last December.
Outlet polls show his homicide resolution rate has risen to about 47% this year, up from about 42% in 2021, but Philly’s resolution rate is still about 50% above the national average, according to the FBI.
