Columbia, SC – The Domino’s Pizza community is on high alert following a series of alarming incidents involving their delivery drivers on Longcreek Drive. In a recent development on April 1, 2024, a female driver from the same establishment where Max Sobeck is employed fell victim to a ‘snatch and grab’ crime, echoing the unsettling event that Sobeck experienced earlier.
The string of incidents has escalated concerns, with another driver recounting a harrowing experience of being robbed at gunpoint in the same vicinity a few weeks prior. These repeated threats have led to a unanimous agreement among the drivers that deliveries to the Longcreek area pose a significant risk and should be ceased. Despite the shared sentiment, no formal consensus has been reached, and steps to petition management to prohibit deliveries to this increasingly dangerous location have not been initiated.
In light of these events, it is crucial for delivery drivers to be equipped with knowledge and strategies to protect themselves, especially if confronted with a weapon. Here are some vital safety tips for delivery drivers facing such threats:
- Remain Calm: Try to stay composed and follow the instructions of the assailant. Panicking can escalate the situation.
- Do Not Resist: Unless you are in immediate danger of severe bodily harm, do not fight back. Resistance can provoke the attacker.
- Assume Armed Threat: Even if a weapon is not visible, if the threat of a weapon is made always assume the aggressor is armed and act accordingly.
- Immediate Action: Call 9-1-1 as soon as it is safe to do so, and then inform your supervisor. Remember that your personal safety comes before the responsibility to inform your job.
Preventative Measures:
- Share your location with family or coworkers, promptly deposit all cash into a bank or restaurant safe, and manually lock your vehicle doors upon entry.
- At any point during the delivery process should the driver feel something is not right they should immediately return to the store. Trust your instincts!
- Do not be afraid to use your phone’s flashlight in dark areas or begin recording with your flashlight on.
- Never leave your car unattended with the keys inside the car. Lock your doors when you leave your car and when you return inside your car.
- Under no circumstances should any delivery driver enter a home/apartment, garage, or hotel room. Just because your supervisor knows where you went does not mean they will know if you are taken to a second location.
These tips are courtesy of the following websites, with more safety information available on these sources. Some tips were written by the article author and may not appear on the following sources. The article author has reviewed these sources and verified the authenticity of the information.
American Pizza Community | Safety Tips
Is Being A Delivery Driver Safe? | Food & Grocery Delivery Drivers (abuselawsuit.com)
FoodDeliveryDriver v2.0 (charleston-sc.gov)
These guidelines aim to minimize risk and ensure the safety of drivers who provide invaluable services to our communities. As the situation on Longcreek Drive remains unresolved, the safety of delivery personnel continues to be a pressing concern for both the workers and the broader community.
This article includes content generated by ChatGPT. This article was edited and fact-checked by the author prior to publishing.
