While those working in food and beverage service industries have long had to deal with difficult or problematic customers—ranging from chronic complainers to dine ’n’ dashers—the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated some issues, due to factors such as increased stress or mental-health issues, lowered or lost income, and more.

Some recent examples illustrate some of the issues that both those in food-service sectors and law enforcement have to deal with in addition to the pandemic.

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) stated today that when two men drove to a local restaurant to pick up a food order, staff noticed that the food had allegedly been ordered with a fraudulent credit card.

When the men drove up to the restaurant, they were met by police.

As two officers removed a passenger from the vehicle, who was arrested for fraud, the male driver unexpectedly backed up the vehicle and struck the two officers.

Other officers located and arrested the driver, who had abandoned his car and was trying to run away.

Police arrested the suspect for two counts of assaulting a police officer, dangerous operation of a conveyance causing bodily harm, fraud, use of credit card, possession of an identity document, and failure to comply with his probation officer.

The two officers sustained soft-tissue injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.

In a separate incident two weeks ago, the VPD stated on February 19 that a male customer got into an argument with staff at a 24-hour restaurant about service.

Then another male customer, who was waiting in line, became involved and began arguing with the first customer.

The second customer pulled out an extendable baton and hit the first customer in the face, resulting in a black eye and swollen nose. (The victim received treatment for his injuries at a hospital.)

After both of the customers left the restaurant, the victim reported the incident to police.

Officers went to the restaurant to review video of the assault.

Then five hours after the incident, staff at the restaurant called 911 to report they spotted the suspect.

Police located him, seized his baton, and arrested him for assault with a weapon.

Meanwhile in other news, B.C. food industry organizations and companies launched an awareness and award campaign to recognize excellence in food service industries that is accepting nominations for individuals who have been delivering top-notch restaurant experiences amid COVID-19 health measures.