Poor security = Property ******!

Last night just before 12am my friend's phone was ****** at Yours Truly in Kloof Street. This strangely happened after being at the place for about 45-50 minutes, of which she searched her bag and found that her phone was missing. Immediately we got the manager involved who really was no help at all.

We were seated directly near the "Once in Cape Town" gift shop as you enter from the gate/main entrance. My friend and I were conversing with each other most of the time so we cannot understand how this happened. She had her bag in front of her the whole time, occasionally checking her messages and for some odd reason discovered her phone was missing literally just a few minutes ago when she checked it.

According to the manager, he kept saying that it was her responsibility and not YT's which seems logical, but then again, it wasn’t her responsibility to intentionally allow someone to ***** her phone. All we wanted was a simple solution to the problem at hand. He was nonchalant throughout and wasn't instituting an immediate investigation. We then suggested that we view the surveillance cameras that we thought would show towards where we were seated – turns out that where we were sitting, there were no cameras present whatsoever! YT

Kloof Street does not have surveillance set up in the perimeter of its business, and only in selected places, which is ironic considering that the place is literally packed throughout. This essentially makes it a “hot spot” for *****ing phones because of the poor surveillance. The response he had regarding property theft, was that we were “suppose” to leave our cellphones at the bar where it is kept safe as we entered the place – never have we heard about such a ridiculous option especially concerning that no one would risk their personal belongings in the hands of strangers and in a foreign place. Clearly this was not an option!!!

While this is not a personal attack on the manager in any way, it is a statement to the YT company (especially the Kloof branch). For a restaurant whose primary aim is to create a safe and fun environment for its guests, it is ironic since this is not the only time it has happened. The manager said that this has been happening - not just recently but for some years now - which serve no purpose because people are not guaranteed that safety aspect anymore, and nothing is being done about it.

YT does have a reputation for being an open, lively, chilled lifestyle restaurant and it gets very full which is the more reason to up the security footage in the place if they insist on going the extra mile for guests and the business itself or making it a safe and chilled environment for staff and guests alike.

It is also important to state that while there are no cameras surveying near the entrance to the gift shop area (near where there’s a giant projector screen), the security system overall is really diminishing and ineffective as the bouncers can be seen talking most of the time instead of checking for IDs like they’re suppose to, so essentially they were of no help at all.

If YT intends to uphold their reputation as a restaurant that serves to keep their guests happy and satisfied, how many more guests - both local and international - have to get their phones ****** or any other property before functional security cameras or the security system in general can be effectively installed? Clearly the establishment is not taking enough precautions to ensure safety and keeping up with their mission statement, which is a pity since this review will be read by thousands.

This negative review isn't surprising as there have been many reviews indicating that the service and management is ineffective and on some occasions “rude”. It seems that such an establishment is taking a major dent in its reputation and from last night's conversation with the manager and current situation, we agree with the masses.

So as disgruntled guests, we left immediately since nothing was done and no assurance was given. How long before someone else's property needs to be ****** before efficient security is set up? What can be done about our situation? Does your company uphold a strict policy on safety for guests regardless of the circumstances? Not just for us, but prospective guests as well.