Pizza delivery policy sparks racism

St. Petersburg Times ^ | August 18, 2002 | ROBERT FARLEY

[Chest Rockwell]

"Commissioner David Archie, a resident of Union Academy, said the pizza companies' policies unfairly stigmatize the neighborhood."

No, it's the disproportionate violence in your communities that rightfully stigmatizes the neighborhood.

[goldstategop]

It has to do with employee safety. It doesn't matter if the inhabitants of a high crime neighborhood are white, black, or green, you couldn't pay me enough money to deliver pizza there. I don't think any job in the world is worth losing your life. The bottom line is yeah its inconvenient for residents of Union Academy to have to drive to the pizza store to pick up an order but let's face, high crime exacts costs on law-abiding people living in such bad neighborhoods that those us who don't have to cope with it don't pay. Instead of crying "racism" over Pizza Hut's delivery policy, the people of Union Academy would better focus their efforts on reducing or/and eliminating the crime that led to the policy in the first place. When they do that maybe they'll see the pizza delivery drivers return. Until that happens they'll used have to get used to the fact Pizza Hut's first priority is keeping its employees safe which speaks well of their corporate commitment to their workers. Besides liberals of all people should be applauding a move that puts human lives ahead of the company bottom line.

[RiVer19]

When I was in college, my job was delevering prescription drugs for the local pharmacy. I drove a little truck with
"DRUGS" on the doors into all kinds of neighborhoods. During the winter the hours it was quite scary. I delivered into housing projects too. And, had to make change and such for the customers. I carried my 357 with
me in the truck. But, didn't carry it to the door. I gladly left this job to work as a janitor in a Urology Clinic owned by the same company. Clean up pee or fear for my life. ...hummm, not a tough decision. Nobody should have to do that job in the truck with "DRUGS" on the door.

[spintreebob]

Article "black people who like pizza too," she said. "Our money is just like everyone else's."

mass55th wrote: let them put on a company shirt & go to work for one of these places.

This illustrates the Blue Zone problem. Here is a great small business opportunity. I have lived in alleged "high crime inner city areas". Businesses can succeed.

Even worse than residents not having a culture of capitalism mass55th types who have the same lack of faith in capitalism.

How do we get this turned around so we can deal with reality and not the superstitions of both sides?

[JenB]

My second job is as a delivery driver. I drive in a nice, residential areea with mostly affluent people and well-lit streets, but there are times I have been nervous... I would never, as a young fairly defenseless woman, deliver pizzas in an area like they're talking about. I believe the major chains have a "no guns on the job" policy, as well as "don't resist the robbery". This to me is just asking for robberies. The only defense is to deny service to some areas.

Bottom line, the driver's safety is more important than these people's self esteem and little egos.

[Zebra]

I used to own a pizza delivery business. I felt a tremendous responsibility to my employees, especially the drivers. There were certain high crime areas where drivers were cautioned. If we had served an area as dangerous as the one referenced in this story, there would have been a ban on deliveries to that area. Anyone who suggests that is a racist call is either (1) full of s*** and completely indifferent to employees' safety or (2) a race-baiter with an agenda. Just as there are places Federal Express won't deliver, there are places you won't go, especially if you are known to be carrying cash (like delivery drivers). These decisions do not make you racist--they make you prudent. There are people who will kill you for your money, and there are areas where this is more likely to happen than others.

I have an idea. Let's let the complaining city councilman deliver pies to the scary area for a month or so. Call his bluff.

[Thumper1960]

These morons need to learn there isn't a Constitutional right to pizza delivery and every occupation has dangers that a business must take into account when they operate. The chance of violence and death to an employee outweighs their pizza needs.

Get over it.

[Zebra]

You said it better than I ever could. Good for you and stay safe.

[Thumper1960]

I used to deliver pizza PT for a nationally known company. I also carried a gun. I was given the choice of driving unarmed or termination.

I quit.

[JenB]

Hey - sounds like you know it as well as I do! These morons should try driving now and then, huh? It's not bad money and a pretty good job, but honestly, the thought of being attacked for the 20 bucks I've got on me is sickening. We just heard last month about a pair of attacks somewhere in the south; a driver was beaten into the hospital by a gang of kids who wanted his car, and another almost killed for the very small amount of money he was carrying.

I hate to say it, but in certain areas, with larger than normal numbers of people who need cash for drug or other purchases, the pizza delivery driver might as well have a sign saying "ATM - Free Cash!" as a "Pizza Hut" or "Dominos" sign...

[Jorge]

ROFL!

[RANDomScout]

Archie said. "But you also have to look at people's rights. .."

Repeat after me, Archie:

I do not have the "right" to have a pizza delivered to my door.
I do not have the "right" to have a pizza delivered to my door.
I do not have the "right" to have a pizza delivered to my door.
Since, the no delivery area is geographic, presumably whites, asians and hispanics that live in this area would also be denied this service. I have just one suggestion for the folks here, if it's that important to you, MOVE! Duh!

[paul51]

It's not racism. It's just a little harmless white hyperbole.

[MinorityRepublican]

I used to deliver pizza PT for a nationally known company. I also carried a gun. I was given the choice of driving unarmed or termination.

I quit.

Wise choice.

Heck, why not arm the delivery boy too? All occupations should be armed, including the airline pilots.

[Zebra]

Luckily for us, the big "crimes" were (a) drivers with multiple pie runs having the pies filched from their cras while making a delivery to another apartment/dorm, (b) the usual bogus checks and (c) cartop signs being ripped off. I attended national conventions, though, and heard the horror stories from the high security stores (Detroit, DC, etc.). I was shocked that some of these managers could even get drivers.

[paul51]

Actually, I think someone deserves reparations for this.

[river rat]

It never ceases to amaze me....
People will crap in their own Easter Basket - and then complain the candy tastes bad.
Semper Fi

[Zebra]

Here's why.

1. Insurance would be cancelled at once (equivalent to out of business).

2, A driver would invariably shoot a perceived assailant. The resulting civil award against the employer (even if a reasonable person would have perceived himself to have been in life-threatening jeopardy) would force bankruptcy.

You simply cannot win in this instance.

[krb]

As a result of being a white middle-aged man I too have decided to avoid neighborhoods that have street named after Martin Luther King after dark, does that make me a racist?

I understand your point, but as another data point, I used to live in a middle-class mixed-race neighborhood where everyone took care of their stuff, took pride in their property, and looked out for one another, all in an area that straddled the Martin Luther King Blvd in Durham, NC (a city that is otherwise the murder capital of the state).

[connectthedots]

I think Dominos and Pizza Hut should contract out the delivery of Pizzas, maybe with even a slight premium, to those areas that are deemed unsafe and see if there are any takers. If not, it speaks for itself. If there is a taker, the pizza companies sell more pizza and eliminate liability for assaults and the independent contract delivery people benefit by making money. Under this plan, there could be no possible racism claims.