Hy-Vee's armed guards are in at least two Iowa City stores — and some customers aren't happy

Hy-Vee debuted new armed guards in at least two Iowa City locations in the past week as the grocery store chain attempts to centralize its security efforts.

A guard was seen at the Iowa City Hy-Vee #2 at 812 S. 1st Ave. on Tuesday wearing the uniform shown in a video when the company announced its new security team. The security guard, stationed by the pharmacy near an exit, appeared to be equipped with both a stun gun and a firearm, in addition to other equipment.

The West Des Moines-based grocery store chain said in December it was creating a retail security team with its own trained officers in some stores. The company did not offer specifics about how many stores would have guards and when they would be stationed inside. At the Iowa City stores, guards are not visible during all hours. Hy-Vee has said only one guard would be on duty in a store during any work shift.

A company statement sent to news outlets in December said the goal was to create a consistent look for the security team and a uniform approach to customer service.

"These officers, many of whom come from a law enforcement background, are specially trained to defuse situations and equipped to protect the safety of both Hy-Vee customers and employees," the statement said.

The Press-Citizen sent questions to Hy-Vee's communications team but did not receive answers about which stores in Johnson County would get security guards or how that is determined.

More: Hy-Vee faces new competition, barriers to success in expansion to three Southeastern states, Indiana

Employees at Hy-Vee's locations at 1st Avenue, Waterfront Drive and North Dodge Street in Iowa City and 8th Street in Coralville did not wish to speak on the record to a reporter.

The presence of the guards has prompted some negative reaction in Johnson County.

Johnson County Supervisor Jon Green tweeted Tuesday that he saw one of the security guards at the Waterfront Hy-Vee. He said he would no longer shop at Hy-Vee and encouraged his 3,975 Twitter followers to do the same.

Armed security guards receive mixed reviews from some Iowa City customers

Hy-Vee customers besides Green are also voicing their opinions about the new guards.

Eldon Sohek, a resident of Johnson County and a shopper at the 1st Avenue Hy-Vee, said Tuesday he noticed the new security guard as he walked in to buy groceries. He said it made him feel uneasy while he was shopping.

"I'd think something might have happened in there. I feel more unsafe than I did before," he said. "When you see something on him, like a bulletproof vest, it more scares me and I think it scares a lot more people."

Sohek said, while he understands Hy-Vee hopes to deter people from committing crimes, he thinks it is more of a turnoff for regular customers. He said this may drive more people to shop at other grocery stores.

Emily Peterson of Iowa City, another regular shopper at the 1st Avenue Hy-Vee, said she appreciates the added security as she shops and that the grocery store should be able to make such decisions that it feels are necessary.

"I don't know if there are a lot of security issues they are dealing with with people stealing. I think it is to make people feel extra secure," she said.

Peterson said she is not typically comfortable with firearms, but since Hy-Vee security guards are trained she didn't mind it as much.

At least one local shopper took his complaint to Hy-Vee management.

Dan Stevenson, a teacher in the West Liberty Community School District, tweeted an email he sent to 1st Avenue Hy-Vee store director Tony Morrow stating his disappointment in the company for adding armed security guards.

"I have never once felt unsafe at your Hy-Vee until I saw the armed guard there (Friday). I believe that the presence of an armed guard actually increases the likelihood of danger to customers," the email said.

Stevenson encouraged others to reach out to the managers of their local Hy-Vees to express concern over the security guards.

"I am left considering my options for groceries in Iowa City," Stevenson's email conclude

More: Hy-Vee confirms 121 Iowa employees terminated as it restructures corporate offices

George Shillcock is the Press-Citizen's local government and development reporter covering Iowa City and Johnson County. He can be reached at (515) 350-6307, GShillcock@press-citizen.com and on Twitter @ShillcockGeorge

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Two Iowa City Hy-Vee grocery stores get armed security guards