Grandmother Sues Hooters After Brawl With Security Guard

[Refugee 7]

At a suburban Chicago Hooters, Joseph Schmidt is a security guard. But as a video shows and this lawsuit filed by customer Livier Torres claims, Schmidt seems to have operated more like a bouncer. Organizations across America that employ security guards should pay attention to this one.

On Jan. 10, 2010, customer Torres had a beef about her Hooters bill, arguing that she had been charged for food she hadn't ordered or received. She asked to speak to the restaurant manager. Instead the security guard, who appears as a giant next to Torres, stepped up to the plate. Almost instantly, the situation get tense between the two. Soon Schmidt has his hands around the grandmother's throat and was pulling her hair.

Surprisingly, it was Torres who wound up in jail for misdemeanor battery, currently serving out a 200-day sentence. Perhaps her record of some previous trouble with the law did her in.

Depending on how much publicity this lawsuit gets in the media and whether Hooters settles for some big number, the role of security could undergo a major re-thinking in corporate America. Their job description and training could be radically changed. It won't help Hooters or Schmidt that this is hardly the first lawsuit regarding the behavior of a security guard. Actually, in the loss prevention industry, the lawsuits are escalating as more sophisticated customers "know their rights."

[Echosoftom 3]

I went to Youtube and found the video. It does look like she may have spit on him. I don't know. And, that's not the point. He still should not have put his hands on her, especially the way he did. He's the "professional" in this situation. It looks like he lost it. Her daughter said, he was making racist comments to her. I don't know about that either but there sure were a few of them made at that Youtube site. Yep, nice to know racism is alive and well, lol. I only know if that had been my mother or grandmother, they would still be trying to pull me off his ass right now.

The only reason she's doing time is because he's a cop. Had he been a regular old security guard I bet the punishment wouldn't have been that severe.

Anyway, here's the link to the video. Hope it works. You be the judge...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa0kAyOR_Mg

[Refugee 7]

Thanks for the link to the video, Sharon.

Her granddaughter had to get between her and the security guard? Why didn't grandma just walk away at that point? She started and created the drama, but damn, that security guard was way out of control. There was no need for him to restrain her like he did.

How sad, for the rest of the patrons, it seemed like it was entertainment for them.

I did a two week stint in Loss Prevention/Security at my work. Was thinking about transfering to that position. Glad I didn't. I did learn a lot, though. It's a thankless job.

Edited November 20, 2010 by Refugee