Suffolk police urge food delivery drivers to take precautions
Robberies of fast food delivery drivers might be down so far this year, compared to 2014, but police are still offering a tip for the folks who deliver takeout food — safety tips.
In fact, Suffolk County police Commissioner Edward Webber offered guidelines for fast food restaurants and their employees Tuesday, in an ongoing effort to keep them out of harm’s way.
Those include:
Ask for a call-back number from customers, then verify the number before delivery.
Require credit card transactions, if possible, for all deliveries.
Post a sign on delivery vehicles that indicates drivers do not carry cash.
Allow drivers to wear plain clothes, not uniforms.
Equip drivers with cell phones.
Avoid late-night deliveries.
Tell drivers never to deliver to a home that appears to be vacant.
Advise drivers not to flash cash.
Police also advise that drivers should never carry a weapon, since those weapons can be used against them.
There were 15 reported robberies involving fast food delivery workers through the first 11 months of 2015, Webber said.
There were 20 in 2014.
Police advise that, if you are a victim, remain calm — and follow the instructions of the suspect. They also advise that you focus on getting a description of the suspect, as well as a vehicle make and plate number, if possible.
Police also advise any robbery victim call 911 to report the crime as soon as possible.
John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”
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