Posted on 04/20/2009 5:59:39 PM PDT by zaphod3000
Facing pressure to crack down on crime amid a record budget deficit, Oakland is joining other U.S. cities that are turning over more law-enforcement duties to private armed guards.
The City Council recently voted to hire International Services Inc., a private security agency, to patrol crime-plagued districts. While a few Oakland retail districts previously have pooled cash to pay for unarmed security services, using public funds to pay for private armed guards would mark a first for the city.
Hiring private guards is less expensive than hiring new officers. Oakland -- facing a record $80 million budget shortfall -- spends about 65% of its budget for police and fire services, including about $250,000 annually, including benefits and salary, on each police officer.
In contrast, for about $200,000 a year the city can contract to hire four private guards to patrol the troubled East Oakland district where four on-duty police officers were killed in March. And the company, not the city, is responsible for insurance for the guards.
Oakland is not alone in seeking to improve public safety while reining in spending. This month, the Chicago City Council, facing a possible $200 million budget deficit, proposed expanding the responsibilities of private armed security forces by authorizing them to write traffic citations. In New Orleans, neighborhood committees have sought to expand special tax incentives to pay for private security for neighborhood patrols
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
OH this is going to end well. [/sarc]
[/cynic]
You’re going to get what you pay for.
I assume these rent-a-cops just patrol and report crimes... and the police officers investigate and/or arrest suspects?
Yeah, THERE’s a great place to cut back on costs. Cut back on police in Oakland. Truth be told, no police want to work up there anymore. Those parasites get what they deserve, let the place burn up.
What level of moron takes this job if he’s unarmed?
What level of fool takes this job if he’s armed? If the use of a weapon came into play - and it very likely would- the company you work for is going to hang your ass out to dry.
What an utterly stupid thing all around.
Starkwood?
yitbos
I would use a group a little more used to dealing with trouble spots, like 10th Mountain division or those Navy SEALS who shot those pirates.
Sending unarmed security guards to that area is like using the UN to patrol, well, anywhere.
Nothing instills fear in Oakland criminals when a car with flashing lights stops you over with the inscription “Oakland Security Professionals, Now Hiring starting at $8.50/hour”
I clicked on this thread just to see how many posts it would take to get a Robocop reference...lol
"Oakland is joining other U.S. cities that are turning over more law-enforcement duties to private armed guards.
yitbos
Nothing instills fear in Oakland criminals when a car with flashing lights stops you over with the inscription “Oakland Security Professionals, Now Hiring starting at $8.50/hour”
I’ll have you know that armed Security Proffessionals in certain Parts of the country earn just shy of $30.00 per hour,with benefits.You just have toknow where to find them and be qualified to get the position.
A new market for Xe, the company formerly known as Blackwater.
Just seen that movie on Saturday - Kevin James is hilarious.
That’s the average here in L.A. and I do know some acquaintances who make upward of $35/per hour. Then again, a buddy of mine who works for Warner Bros told me a few weeks ago that lot security guys make $10/hour.
And what kind of jerk would take a job like that. If you are a armed guard and, God forbid, you have to shoot someone, do you think that anyone is going to have your back. They hate police, and they will really hate “ Mall Cops” who the public and criminals perceive as being police wannabes.
I would rather be a trash collector.
They should keep the police they have, and encourage citizen patrols.
They could even get creative: citizen patrols for charity. That is, the city could pay charities in exchange for citizen patrols. It might work.
Groups of four adults, with a radio. If it is a more dangerous area, California is a “may issue” concealed carry permit, and could permit one or more of the citizens a CC permit as a citizen patrol supervisor.
But then, for every night such a citizen patrol operates, the city will pay a fixed amount of money to a particular charity, like breast cancer research.
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