Domino's shooting (update)
It appears the driver signed an agreement to not carry his gun
at work. He has since quit and they are charging the surviving
robber with murder.
Pizza driver that shot alleged robber flouted rules
By Robert Patrick
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
01/03/2008
The pizza delivery driver who fatally shot a robber last week could have faced discipline over the incident had he not resigned, a Domino's spokesman said Wednesday.
Although the driver was being praised by bloggers with comments such as "Score one for the good guys," many corporations, like Domino's, prohibit armed employees.
Employees sign an agreement in which they agree not to carry a weapon, Domino's corporate spokesman Tim McIntyre said, a policy designed to protect both the public and employees.
"We're driving down . streets. We're going to people's homes. We're also a workplace," he said. Advertisement
McIntyre added that police had told the company, "There are too many cases in which a person's own weapon has been used against them."
The manager of the University City franchise, which is independently owned, declined to speak to a reporter, and the driver could not be reached for comment. Authorities have not identified him.
Domino's trains employees to minimize their risk, both before and during a robbery, McIntyre said. Drivers are told to carry a cell phone and avoid wearing jewelry or carrying valuables or more than a small amount of cash - typically $20. They're also taught to keep driving if they have doubts about an address and call to verify that the address is legitimate or return to the store, he said.
If robbers approach, drivers are told to "turn over the pizza and empty your pockets."
"The best way to save yourself from harm is to get the situation over as quickly and efficiently as possible," he said. "That typically will result in us needing to replace a pizza but not having to deal with a tragedy."
Domino's also offers security training to other pizza companies to minimize everyone's risk by limiting the potential payoff to would-be delivery robbers.
McIntyre said he didn't know what the former delivery driver told his manager when he resigned. "That's probably an experience he didn't want to confront anymore," McIntyre said.
The driver shot Brian Smith, 19, of the 600 block of Ferguson Avenue in Ferguson, on Dec. 27. His alleged accomplice, Rodney Reese, 18, fled with the pizzas, soda and the driver's wallet, police said, and was later charged with first-degree robbery, two counts of armed criminal action and second-degree murder because he was allegedly involved in a fatal crime.
McIntyre said any punishment would not have been "because he (the driver) defended himself. It would be because he violated a policy that he agreed to follow."
"We completely expect to be criticized," he added.
at work. He has since quit and they are charging the surviving
robber with murder.
Pizza driver that shot alleged robber flouted rules
By Robert Patrick
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
01/03/2008
The pizza delivery driver who fatally shot a robber last week could have faced discipline over the incident had he not resigned, a Domino's spokesman said Wednesday.
Although the driver was being praised by bloggers with comments such as "Score one for the good guys," many corporations, like Domino's, prohibit armed employees.
Employees sign an agreement in which they agree not to carry a weapon, Domino's corporate spokesman Tim McIntyre said, a policy designed to protect both the public and employees.
"We're driving down . streets. We're going to people's homes. We're also a workplace," he said. Advertisement
McIntyre added that police had told the company, "There are too many cases in which a person's own weapon has been used against them."
The manager of the University City franchise, which is independently owned, declined to speak to a reporter, and the driver could not be reached for comment. Authorities have not identified him.
Domino's trains employees to minimize their risk, both before and during a robbery, McIntyre said. Drivers are told to carry a cell phone and avoid wearing jewelry or carrying valuables or more than a small amount of cash - typically $20. They're also taught to keep driving if they have doubts about an address and call to verify that the address is legitimate or return to the store, he said.
If robbers approach, drivers are told to "turn over the pizza and empty your pockets."
"The best way to save yourself from harm is to get the situation over as quickly and efficiently as possible," he said. "That typically will result in us needing to replace a pizza but not having to deal with a tragedy."
Domino's also offers security training to other pizza companies to minimize everyone's risk by limiting the potential payoff to would-be delivery robbers.
McIntyre said he didn't know what the former delivery driver told his manager when he resigned. "That's probably an experience he didn't want to confront anymore," McIntyre said.
The driver shot Brian Smith, 19, of the 600 block of Ferguson Avenue in Ferguson, on Dec. 27. His alleged accomplice, Rodney Reese, 18, fled with the pizzas, soda and the driver's wallet, police said, and was later charged with first-degree robbery, two counts of armed criminal action and second-degree murder because he was allegedly involved in a fatal crime.
McIntyre said any punishment would not have been "because he (the driver) defended himself. It would be because he violated a policy that he agreed to follow."
"We completely expect to be criticized," he added.
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nice to see Domino's creating a safe zone for criminals, I will do business elsewhere. 0 -
Domino's pizza is horsefooey anyways.[}:)] 0 -
my son delivered for domino's while going to school he had to go into very high crime areas and he carried a pistol leagaly he was never robbed but several other drivers was and two were hurt pretty bad. i'd rather work at a quick rip than to deliver pizza's in the middle of the night . 0 -
Another article from the local fishwrap.
I like the policy that Pantera's uses.
Rights of corporation and employee clash over use of weapon
By Steve Giegerich and Denise Hollinshed
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
01/05/2008
Missouri's firearm statutes gave the Domino's pizza deliveryman who shot and killed a would-be assailant Dec. 28 every right to use a legal weapon to protect himself and his property.
By simply carrying the gun, however, the still unidentified employee violated a company policy prohibiting Domino workers from packing a weapon even if, as happened in Ferguson on the night of the shooting, the employee was using his own car.
To some, the circumstances raise questions about where the right of Missouri citizens to legally keep and bear arms ends and the corporate right to limit liability begins.
"I am not aware of a case quite like it," said Anders Walker, an assistant law professor at St. Louis University. "The legal riddle is whether Domino's can fire this guy because, if he agreed to work for them and signed a contract, he needs to abide by their policies." Advertisement
To borrow a law school term, the question is moot: The deliveryman quit shortly after the death of Brian Smith, 19, of Ferguson, in what authorities say was a robbery attempt.
Another teenager alleged to be Smith's accomplice, Rodney Reese, 18, of University City, has been charged with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and two counts of armed criminal action.
The deliveryman has not been charged.
Had he not resigned, a Domino's spokesman said this week, the company would have disciplined the deliveryman.
Kerry Messer, a gun rights supporter and lobbyist for the Missouri Family Network, said it's Domino's that stands guilty.
"For a company to ban (employees who deliver) from using firearms makes them a sitting duck for criminals" in high-crime areas, said Messer. RELATED LINK
Pizza driver that shot alleged robber flouted rules
He contends the deliveryman was protected by not only the state's concealed weapons law but also the "Castle Doctrine" permitting Missourians to use force to protect homes and, more recently, cars.
Other businesses that send workers on the road with cash have policies that differ from Domino's.
Deferring to state firearm law, the St. Louis Taxi Commission leaves the decision about allowing drivers to arm themselves up to the individual cab companies.
St. Louis' Harris Cab Company, in turn, leaves the decision to the discretion of the drivers.
"We don't prevent drivers (from carrying) because we want them to be safe," said manager Shermand Palmer.
At Ferguson's Pantera's Pizza, manager Steve Moses subscribes to a philosophy of don't ask, don't tell.
"They can't have a weapon in the store," he said. "But if they have a weapon in their car, I don't know about it. They aren't supposed to, though."
Moses said the popularity of cell phones has made the job of delivering pizzas susceptible to assailants using false addresses to lure delivery drivers into a trap.
Messer said that Domino's policy is "shortsighted."
"He did it legally. It's a shame his employment came under fire because of it. It's definitely not right," said Messer.0 -
Looks like they are just making it open season on pizza drivers.
wonder if they were also told if all else fails just [:(][:(]
stick you head between your legs and kiss your a$$ good buy
would rather loose my job then my life especially over some crap pizza [:(!]0 -
if a company does not value an employees life why would anyone work for them??????? bet there is no company policy to send two or three employees (backup) together on a delivery or NO deliveries to a dangerous area!!!!!!!!!!! 0 -
So send a message, DON'T ORDER DOMINOES and tell them why. Let their corporate office know why you will not order from them. Myself I have ordered from them once in five years. I prefer the small privately owned pizza place in a city nearby. Their delivery charge for out of city deliveries is cheaper than a delivery charge for in city deliveries by the chains. 0 -
Not a problem for me. Sign anything that they want and then do what you think best. What are they gonna do? Fire you from a sucko job? It's a work rule, not a law.
JM[;)]0 -
I am no supporter, I cannot imagine anyone who has eaten Dominos Pizza ordering it a second time. 0 -
He is alive.
He can get another job.
One less scum on the street, and the other one "should" be off the street for a long time.
He did good.0 -
I don't think it is legal to not allow an employee to carry a weapon on company property or while on official company business. Yes, I am sure companies have the policy, but I think if the disciplined/fired employee took the case to the supreme court, they would win.
There are laws that apply to private public property, like any place that is opened to the public. This is why you can get a ticket for violating a crime in a parking lot that is privately owned. Public Access. So the company's policies are contrary to law.
It would be a long expensive road.0 -
Losing that Domino's job must be a crushing blow... 0 -
Geez. Is it even possible for Domino's company policy to create more perfect victims than they already do?
Hell, if I was an armed robber and knew about Domino's defeatist policy, I would phone the nearest Domino's and say something like "Hey, I'm an armed robber and therefore you, by company policy, owe me complete and prompt cooperation. So send over a pizza and a bag of money to this address pronto! If you don't, I'll complain to Domino's CEO and you'll get in trouble."0
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