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I live in St. Louis. I grew up in a predominantly white, suburban area, but now live and work near a predominantly black, urban area. The differences I’ve noticed at local businesses tell me a lot about the area I’m in, and the quality of people inhabiting that area.

For instance:

-All gas stations make you pay BEFORE pumping and do not accept checks (unheard of in the suburbs)
-Stores like Kmart, Target, Kohls, etc all have most of their electronics department, even small items locked in glass cabinets (I couldn’t even pick up a pair of $3.99 headphones without getting a clerk)
-Almost every store employs a security guard, even grocery stores, and they check your receipt against the merchandise in your cart
-The service is unbelievably slow, no matter the race of the workers. Empty fast food restaurant and it still takes 20 minutes to get food

These differences do not exist because the business owners are racist. They exist because the business owners have been burned by theft. Why would a business owner want to open a store in a location like this? His overhead is higher because of the extra measures he has to take to insure that the only products that leave his store are actually purchased.

The same applies to this Pizza Hut situation. Should he be forced to cut into his profits by hiring two drivers to deliver pizza, or even an armed guard? I guarantee that Pizza Hut owners in affluent areas don’t do that. Why would a driver want to split tips when he could work in an area by himself and make more?

I suggest that the honorable people in these “dangerous” areas take it upon themselves to rid their area of crime and delinquency. It’s the only way they can invite normal business practices to return to their area. It’s high time we address the real problem, the criminal tendencies of people (of all ethnicities) living in these areas, and stop blaming businesses for trying to adapt and survive to a uniquely hazardous environment.

In my mind, these businesses should be applauded for even attempting to service such a high risk area.