SYRACUSE -- Steven Myers leaves the Italian Chef on Butternut Street in Syracuse with just $25 in cash. Like other delivery drivers across the city, he never carries much money on him.
It's part of staying safe he said, something he's been doing for a while. He said he wasn't surprised to hear about two attempted robberies in as many weeks involving delivery drivers, because he's seen it first hand.
"I went to a delivery when I first started here and the people came up to me," he said. "(They) wanted the pizza and they wanted my money -- so I went up to customer's porch and called the police and they went away."
Italian Chef partner/owner Steven Alexander told me keeping his drivers safe when they're delivering food is a must.
"Driver safety is everything, they're delivering your merchandise...you know, your name...they've got your jacket on."
It's why drivers at Italian Chef always carry cell phones, never carry much cash and are reminded constantly to be aware of their surroundings. Depending on the situation, sometimes two drivers will be sent out to deliver a pizza, or they'll be tailed by someone in an unmarked car.
If that means being late, so be it.
"It's better to be a little bit late than have something happen," Alexander said.
