Expensive security systems with cameras do not deter any robberies.  They just record the crime.  The same company I mentioned before has a ploicy AGAINST video camera security systems.  For restaurants they do more harm than good.  Restaurants have no need for monitoring activities of their staff and guests via video surveilance.  Cameras in this case only provide a false sense of security…  in that some way the cameras will protect the staff.  Cameras can cause employees to not follow safe practices because they feel secure because of cameras.  The best plan is a plan that makes it physically very difficult for the intruders to enter the building, and if they do get in, then just cooperate.  Think about it like this.  If you and your wife had a new born baby how would you rather protect your family at night?  Would you rather keep the house open to intruders (doors open or unlocked) with security cameras, or lock it down like Fort Nox with no cameras?

Where did I say any of that?  All I said was proper security measures in place could have prevented this occurrance?  I don’t recall saying anything about guns or interior deadbolts.  Where did you read that?  All I said was don’t open the back doors after dark and take the trash out in the morning.  Its a simple process really.  I worked for a restaurant company that fires managers on the spot for not following back door security policies.  All trash from dinner was neatly stacked and covered in a designated area inside and taken to the dumpster in tha AM.  It’s a very simple process really.  This company has not had a back door break in in years and they operate thousands of restaraunts around the globe.  There policy is simple… the back door(s) and side door(s) remain locked after dark except in the presence of armed law enforcement.  Break the policy and your looking for a job no questions asked.  This company has the lowest armed robberies of any in the industry.

I think it is more than likely a disgruntled employee.  Its really telling that the Vigor game had just let out and more than likely the crooks are from that area. I am sure there are cameras in the tunnels and nearby redlights, since more than likely the thugs headed that way in some “hooptie” vehicle. I would ask ALDOT for some tapes for the timeframe.  Who robs a restaurant?and risk their lives to split it 4 ways? It sounds like they were armed for a bank.
So according to Roll Tide 33, everyone should be packing heat with a deadbolt on every door, Las Vegas Casino cameras, peephole and have an interior dumpster. Plus bulletproof vest ,and a tank in the parking lot…employees played it right, did what they were told so no one got killed.  Maybe only during the next Spanish Fort-Vigor game. Sad part is, had an employee or someone shot those thugs, the person protecting his property would be the one getting sued by the victims family based on the amount that they were trying to rob!

And besides, to be frank,  actions speak much louder than words.  If what you are saying is true, “the managers and the Bridges’ always had their safety at the forefront of their mind”, then why was the back door unlocked or open after dark?  Oh yeah,  i forgot,  have to get that trash out.  Do you realize how many employees are injured or killed every year during a trash run after dark?  Check it out.  I think that you will be suprised at what you find.  This is an interesting article with some really good advice for restaraunts from a law enfocement agency in CA: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/30/MNTS12JEJ9.DTL
As its says in the article… proper training is vital.  How much safety and security training did you recieve while employed there?  Again, actions speak louder than words.

As I stated before I do feel sorry for the employees envolved but not for the manager.  Had proper security measures been in place this could have been avoided.  The manager apparently was not concerned with his employees or his own safety or he would not have such irresponsible safety procedures.  As I said before,  these robbers, while dishonest and as cruel as they are, only took advantage of the situation provided to them by the unsafe operational practices of the business.  You dont’t see these type of robberies very often, any more, in the big chain casual dining concepts because safety and security of their employees and guests is up upmost importance and they have security measures in place that ensure the same.  I might add that these security measures do not cost anything because they are mostly human behaviours and procedures.  Employers just have to take the time to educate, train, and hold accountable their managers and employees (with a strong emphasis on accoutability).

rolltide33… I don’t understand how you could be so insensitive and heartless. These 11 people went through a very traumatic experience, INCLUDING the manager who ended up with 7 staples in the back of his head. Your first reaction is that he should be replaced? “They should be looking for new management immediately.” Making an asinine statement like that makes me question if you have any sort of compassion for the people that went though this. I am a former Employee of Ed’s Seafood Shed and I can tell you that I always felt safe in that restaurant. I worked with the majority of the people that were involved in the incident and I would bet anything that they feel as though the managers and the Bridges’ always had their safety at the forefront of their mind.

Teaquer…  I do not claim to be an expert, but I have of experience with the most succseful casual dining restaraunt company in the world.  57 Straight quarters of positive earnings per share.  They have adopted the most stringest safety and security guidlines in the indusrty and their internal security department is headed up by “experts”.  They spare no expense researching and developing safety and security measures.  Not a single one of their Restaraunts has a single security cameras.  Cameras dont save lives.  They just record the death.  Strict security measures save lives.  And I assure you,  a restaraunt can be successfully operated without ever opening any back or side doors after dark.  As I said before, I have fed over 10000 people a week and never opened any doors other than the front one after dark.  In fact, our health department supports only taking out trash in daylight hours and always commended us on our safety measures if they came early in the morning and saw trash

Well teaquer, you really don’t know how much cash they had or had in the past.Another thing Health Dept.Does not require a mop sink to always be outside,it also can be inside.I know first hand how much money was taken. No one here claims to be experts,except you, coming off like Ms. Restaurant Professor.People on here just say what they think,and what they feel,So get with it or get OUT!!!!

I talked to the guy that ran out of the store, he said that he was still shakin up. when he saw a chance he ran out to his truck, he also said as he was running out one of the guys was chasing him with a pistol! Lucky he wasn’t shot! Like he said,he thinks it was an old employee, I got a feeling this is gonna be solved soon, only if Spanish Fort does there job!!! Well thats another story for later GOSSIP!!!!!

a theif or robber will always find a way. another good thing is to keep that register pulled down. watch for cell phones with cameras. as for that manager of the blue gill, well there is no such thing as safe. they love safe places. people are not on guard.  why were there no security cameras?
the back door was a must at my store.