Hey, pizza man, let's be careful out there

Hey, pizza man, let's be careful out there

Here are some common-sense safety tips for food-delivery drivers from Boston Police Deputy Superintendent Darrin Greeley :

Try to scope out the situation before making your run. "Get an exact address, with apartment number and phone," says Greeley.

Don't travel with a lot of cash. It is Domino's Pizza policy, for example, not to have drivers leaving for deliveries with more than $20.

Don't deliver in a daze. "Be aware of your surroundings, lighting conditions," says Greeley. "Pay attention to what's around you."

If you are being robbed, give up the goods. "Money . . . the sub, the pizza, the Chinese food, give it to them," says Greeley. "Do not fight. Money can be replaced. Your life cannot."

Alert police if you have been called to an abandoned building or summoned to an address or phone number used in a previous theft, or robbed. And then become a good witness. "Get a good look at the facial features, color of eyes," says Greeley, "how tall, weight, clothing, weapon used, direction of flight."

RIC KAHN