One Waffle House in downtown Atlanta is passing its security costs on to the customer. Seeking to tame large crowds and rowdy customers, the Waffle House in Five Points is charging a 20 percent surcharge to call its customers to cover the cost of an off-duty Atlanta police officer.
Even though there's a police precinct close to the restaurant, some of the businesses in the area say they've seen their share of crime.
Sunshine Payne, a waitress at the Waffle House, says she has seen a much calmer crowd since the surcharge went into effect.
"I work night shift, so clubs, drunk people fighting all kinds of stuff – it's kind of good they got police in there," Payne said.
However, Payne says since the customers are already paying more, they've been leaving less in the form of tips.
"Moneywise no, but safety-wise, yes," Payne said.
There are yellow and black signs regarding the "property management surcharge" posted all over the restaurant and on the menus.
Still, some people don't notice, while others said they didn't care.
"With the prices at Waffle House, 20 percent isn't going to kill you," said one customer.
But others said the charge is enough to send them somewhere else to eat.
"Probably won't go back, probably skip it," said David Vasconez.
Waffle House says that on occasion, they've had to hire security guards for other locations, but the restaurant in Five Points is the only one that has the 20 percent surcharge.
Friday, May 24 2013 12:10 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:10:59 GMT
More than a dozen people were hurt Friday morning when an Atlanta airport hotel shuttle bus crashed into a tractor-trailer not far from the airport.
More than a dozen people were hurt Friday morning when an Atlanta airport hotel shuttle bus crashed into a tractor-trailer not far from the airport. FOX 5's Chris Shaw captured cell phone video inside the smashed bus at the scene of the crash.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:14 AM EDT2013-05-24 14:14:44 GMT
A judge has sentenced Michael Parson to the maximum of 35 years in jail for the attempted murder of his wife. On Thursday, Parson was convicted of shooting his wife, Adina, eight times in 2012.
A judge has sentenced Michael Parson to the maximum of 35 years in jail for the attempted murder of his wife. On Thursday, Parson was convicted of shooting his wife, Adina, eight times outside their Sandy Springs apartment in 2011.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:52 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:52:10 GMT
The jury has found Michael Parson guilty on all eight counts in the shooting of his wife outside their Sandy Springs apartment.The woman, Adina Parson, survived after being shot eight times.
The jury has found Michael Parson guilty on all eight counts in the shooting of his wife outside their Sandy Springs apartment.The woman, Adina Parson, survived after being shot eight times.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:40 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:40:32 GMT
Families of city workers are back at Atlanta City Hall this morning for a second day of protests. They're demanding bigger pay raises for police, firefighters and other first responders.
Families of city workers are back at Atlanta City Hall this morning for a second day of protests. They're demanding bigger pay raises for police, firefighters and other first responders.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:23 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:23:38 GMT
A Newton County teenager and his mom received the gift of mobility on Thursday, thanks to some Good Samaritans.
A Newton County teenager and his mom received the gift of mobility on Thursday, thanks to some Good Samaritans. Tyler Head was injured in a high school wrestling tournament in December, and getting back and forth to therapy is a vital to his recovery.
