Pasadena Company Says it Has the Answer to Providing a Safe Sidewalk Dining Experience

After a TV news show revealed some restaurants are putting customers at risk in newly created outdoor dining areas, the Pasadena-based Meridian Rapid Defense Group says it has the answer to providing a “secure place” for patrons.

Featured on the program “Inside Edition” was Meridian’s mobile Archer 1200, a 700-pound steel barrier that can stop an out-of-control car or truck and provide a solution for cities wanting to help restaurants get back to business while at the same time providing a safe location.

“Having those (barriers) there is a big plus,” Kris Jardino told “Inside Edition.” Jardino and two friends were eating at Pasadena’s popular Mi Piace restaurant, which is secured by Archer barriers.

“Up until now, I didn’t think about the safety aspect, but seeing them there makes us feel a whole lot better,” Jardino said.

Archer barriers are also protecting diners in Ventura, where the city closed off 10 city blocks to create an outdoor mall, and in Miami Beach, where many restaurants have also expanded out to the street.

In many cases, restaurant dining areas are surrounded by wooden barriers or planters, and “Inside Edition” revealed several serious accidents in which cars plowed into diners.

“We were happy to work with ‘Inside Edition’ and explain how our mobile Archer barriers are the perfect solution to secure on-street dining areas,” said Meridian CEO Peter Whitford. “I understand that restaurateurs are desperate to get back to business but having diners sitting so close to passing traffic is only inviting trouble unless they are properly protected. We’ve already seen evidence of that.”

For more information about Meridian Rapid Defense Group and the Archer 1200 Vehicle Barrier visit https://www.meridian-barrier.com/