Posted on 03/29/2015 7:29:43 AM PDT by SeafoodGumbo
NEW ORLEANS - There will be no more Domino's deliveries in the Lower 9th Ward after dark.
It is one of the changes the pizza company is making after another one of its drivers was murdered in the Lower 9th Ward while on the job, but residents and one city leader say the policy change is a knee-jerk reaction that is singling out their community.
"It just, again, puts a black eye on this community," said Vanessa Gueringer, a life-long resident of the Lower 9th Ward.
Michael Price, a 36-year-old father of three, is the second Domino's delivery driver murdered on the job in the last six months. In September, Richard Yeager was murdered in Mid-City while also delivering pizzas.
In response, Domino's now says it will not deliver to the Lower 9th Ward after dark.
"It marginalizes us and it disenfranchise us from the rest of the city," Gueringer said.
Councilman James Gray, who represents the Lower 9th Ward, agrees. He said the policy change is one driven by emotion and not the facts.
"The facts are this is the first murder in the Lower 9th Ward this year," Gray said. "It's a tragedy what happened to the driver, but incidentally that is the second driver killed this year. The other was killed in Mid-City."
Domino's is also making changes that will impact deliveries citywide. During the robbery, Price was carrying less than $30, which is why the company say it will not take cash during late-night hours.
"Credit cards only after 10 p.m. So, the driver won't be carrying any cash back to the store. As well as curbside delivery where we won't be getting out of vehicles and we'll pass the products through the window and we'll have surveillance in the vehicle," said Domino's Regional Vice President Robert Tedesco.
Residents like Kim Ford, whose nephew works as a Domino's delivery driver, said no worker should have to risk their life to make an honest living. She said Domino's should make changes that keep all of its drivers safe regardless of where they work.
"It's not just the French Quarter and the CBD that have crime issues. We all do," Ford said. "Every time we are singled out, yet we get nothing in return. No resources to help improve the police presence here."
"This was a crime of opportunity, as all of these were all over the city," Gueringer said. "That should be the status quo for every neighborhood."
The total Crimestoppers reward for information that leads to an arrest is now up to $10,000.
Boo frickin Hoo, do a better job of policing your animals and it wouldn't be a problem.
It wasnt “Black eye”...it was a “Black guy”.
Police shouldn't have to go into black hellholes either... let these people defend themselves. Or they can buy security systems like the rest of us have to do... Ingrates.
Maybe all their 9th ward drivers need to be black.
I was a pizza dude, years ago.
It’s what made me hate people and understand humanity.
..pull the curtain Fred……..Look at this steaming heap!
A “BLACK” eye on this community? Isn’t that racist? /s
lol - grounded. Safe and sound.
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