Distrust over how crime is fought in Pennsylvania is one of the things that is causing residents to leave the state. Those who stay, are looking for ways to fight crime. As in the case of the owners of the well-known restaurant Jim's West Steaks and Hoagies, located in Philadelphia, who have decided to hire armed security guards to defend their customers.
"The violence has spiked. It goes up and down. 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," restaurant co-owner Cortez Johnson told WPVI-TV.
For his part, knowing of the increase in crime on the streets, the financial director of Jim's West Steaks and Hoagies, Saul Landers, explained:
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.
The measure is not to everyone's taste. One of the customers said that seeing someone with a submachine gun "is not suitable for families." Instead, another understood the decision, saying "I'm not a big gun fan but I get it."
Philadelphia: Annual Homicide Rate on the Rise
According to data from the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD), the homicide rate has shown an annual upward trend since 2013: from 246 homicides that occurred that year to 516 registered in 2022.
With 562 homicides recorded, 2021 was the most violent year since 2007.
From January 1 to September 17, 2023, 311 people have been killed in Philadelphia. In the same period last year, 387 homicides were recorded.
