News Article: July 18, 2008
Section: News
Outlet: The Vancouver Sun
Byline: Allison Cross
Title: New restaurant program takes aim at gangsters
Date: 2008-18-07
VANCOUVER - The city's police department has unveiled a safety program for restaurants in the hope it will deter gangsters from frequenting their establishments.
Modelled after the successful Bar Watch program, Restaurant Watch encourages staff to call police if they spot someone who fits the criteria of a gangster, gang associate, drug trafficker or violent person.
Police officers then take on the responsibility of deciding if the suspicious person should be removed from the restaurant.
Bar Watch affiliated clubs use metal detectors and [TreoScope EnterSafe] ID scanners and some display a red decal outside the premises, letting gang members know they aren't welcome.
Forty restaurants in the Vancouver area have signed up for the new program and their managers say they are participating to foster a safe environment for their customers.
"It's a purely a preventive measure," said Trish Holt, manager at the Macaroni Grill on Davie Street.
"We're working together to take proactive steps against any possible gang violence."
Violence has never been a problem at her restaurant, Holt said.
Julia Doty, general manager at Pinky's Steakhouse on Hamilton Street, said her staff can feel more comfortable knowing they don't have to confront suspicious customers themselves.
"If anyone has any kind of concerns, we call the police and we're placed on a priority list," she said.
Suspicious customers have never been a problem at her establishment either, Holt said.
The manager at Lucy Mae Brown on Richards Street said he has noticed violence in Vancouver rise dramatically over the past couple of years.
"You see the effects in our restaurants," said Clark Howson.
Police officers will inform a restaurant manager or owner if they are removing someone from the premises, Howson said.
Chris Landridge said he wants his customers to feel safe at Gotham, especially after a high-profile shooting occurred on the street outside the steakhouse on Seymour Street in January.
"[These incidents] can have an impact," said Landridge, the general manager. "This program is purely done for the safety of guests and staff. We all work here and live here. We want to be safe."
Police said uniform and plainclothes officers will also do periodic walk-throughs of the 40 restaurants.
"We're not going to tolerate violence from these criminals," VPD superintendent Warren Lemcke said in a news release. "They're not welcome in our city."
Other participating restaurants include Joe Fortes, Sanafir, four different downtown Moxie's locations, Century House and The Boathouse.
across@png.canwest.com
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