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Broke Cities Use Renta-Cops Instead of Police
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BOBBY WHITE
The Wall Street Journal
April 21, 2009
The Wall Street Journal
April 21, 2009
OAKLAND, Calif. — 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.
- A d v e r t i s e m e n t
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.
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April 21st, 2009 at 12:54 pm
I wonder if these rent a pigs will be better than the career rent a pigs? related video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....annel_page this is about cop/authority abuse of the 1st and 4th amendment
temudgin the great khan Reply:
April 21st, 2009 at 2:03 pm
the bad thing is; the rent a cops did not take an oath to protect and defend the constitution from enemies foriegn and DOMESTIC…
Teach Reply:
April 21st, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Worse, what kind of training and certification do they have? They’re not sworn, not certified and usually not well paid. I can see huge lawsuits and plenty of brutality claims. Oakland will definitely get what it pays for….cheap law enforcement and plenty of trouble.
4 th amendment is dead Reply:
April 22nd, 2009 at 6:16 am
Proof 4th amendment is dead: Health and Safety inspection, Reading PA. Get ready to get outraged like you never have:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SrhVdj5rfE
Sinking ship Reply:
April 22nd, 2009 at 7:09 am
Exactly!
No to mention that we the people never gave our consent to the politicians to do such a thing. In all actuality, if we do nothing about this, if we do not raise our voices in condemnation of these rent-a-thugs, we will be giving them our consent. Do not acquiesce and do not be afraid stand up to these criminals and demand the reinstitution of the Constitution.
DIY Reply:
April 21st, 2009 at 2:06 pm
I hate rent a pigs, but rent a pigs are easier to deal with than career pigs. The renta oinks are on bigger power trips, but you can slip out from them easier.
“OINK OINK, time for a Donut, let’s beat up and tase this white boy, cuz he’s with al-Kidea”
I hate pigs, but I’m focused on the eye of the pyramid when $h1t hits the fan.
Hey, learn the truth about FEMA coffins. That story is made up!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQzYoWUPfDk
Married to 1/3 Native American Reply:
April 21st, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Your saying we can buy our way out of crime with a rent a cop?
Teach Reply:
April 21st, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Isn’t it a little strange how “Dennis” immediately goes after Alex Jones? What is this really trying to say. I also find it odd that, “I just happened to be on my way to the tea party” was the introduction. The story just doesn’t sound right when viewed in context with manufacturing practices. Why would the company make such a huge inventory? This “debunking” just doesn’t smell right.
April 21st, 2009 at 12:58 pm
they’re bigger assholes than the jack boot thug cops. also they have not been deputized therefor have no authority. i pray one tries to detain me and asks for my I.D.
Michael Reply:
April 21st, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Copy that!
As long as something illegal wasn’t being done by the citizen.
Teach Reply:
April 21st, 2009 at 5:47 pm
True that, they’ll probably be armed and they can still make citizen’s arrests. This is just a lead in for corporate police…..Loyal only to the highest bidder.
April 21st, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Look here folks, I am armed and dangerous to the unsuspecting public with this here one bullet six shooter of mine so watch out, you hear?
April 21st, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Who do you sue when the rent-a-cops screw up? Are they issued badges and arrest authority on behalf of the state? I don’t think so. I wouldn’t suggest doing this in a state that permits concealed carry. Hell, in Pennsylvania we have open carry—no license required. The state doesn’t like to advertise this, but the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled twice confirming the right. Although, I think you can’t carry open in Philadelphia without a weapons permit.
It should be noted though, that a state that issues weapons permits doesn’t require a large police force. Maybe if California would get its act together and start issuing weapons permits, the crime rate would decline obviating the need for additional officers.
Social Viability Reply:
April 21st, 2009 at 1:59 pm
If enough people carry concealed the crime rate will plummet. Few will commit violent crime when surrounded by people with loaded guns. Case in point: How many muggings occur at shooting ranges?
Why not take it a step further and offer incentives for citizens to get trained and carry weapons?
Because then the politicians wouldn’t have their police to hide behind when they’re selling the public out to their wealthy masters.
Hint: The politicians don’t have your best interests at heart and never will in the existing political system.
Don’t fight the system:
Replace it
http://socialviability.com/
Theywontchipme Reply:
April 21st, 2009 at 2:03 pm
yUP, Here is Pennsylvania’s version of the second amendment : Right to Bear Arms
Section 21.
The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned.
We actually have one of the strongest Constitutions in the Nation in my opinion. We have plenty of space for fellow Patriots! Come to the Commonwealth!
http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Constitution.html
4 th amendment is dead Reply:
April 22nd, 2009 at 7:24 am
Really, what about how PA is allowing this to happen? Wake up man. PA code enforcement is being used state wide to circumvent the Constitution! You people should be taking up arms to fight this, but you do nothing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SrhVdj5rfE
BobLeeSwagger Reply:
April 21st, 2009 at 2:17 pm
InAlaska we have no concealed carry laws, i.e. we don’t need a permit to carry concealed and its an open carry state as well. Yes we have a little bit of crime but by and large no one really messes with anyone else. Rent a cops here are quite polite, as they never know if the person they’re talking shit to, or puffing out their chests at, might pull out a gun and shoot back.
Rachel Reply:
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:10 am
I used to live in Alaska and I loved it very much. Now I live in broke back California.
April 21st, 2009 at 2:12 pm
I hate to ask but, they do realize what is going to happen when a bunch of people who COULDN’T EVEN BECOME COPS start ACTING LIKE COPS? Oh man, there are going to be 4 Renta-Cops getting their ass beat on a daily basis. Some fucking 2.5 is going to try and enforce law that they haven’t been deputized to defend – imagine, if you will, you are in a city. Walking down the street, a man with a pale blue shirt and wrinkled pants asks you for your I.D. His shirt reads “Police-R-Us” or some such shit – what’s your response? When he says, “Gimme your I.D. or else” and then reaches for you…….This is a terrible idea they’ve had.
Reality Reply:
April 21st, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I hate to pop your, but the reality is that there is a major difference between what you call “Renta-Cops” and Security Professionals.
As a Security Professional myself (NOT TSA), I can say with confidence that I, along with those I work with, have no desire to be police officers. Those of us who understand the real purpose of the Security profession, especially those who I have the privilege of calling co-workers, are freedom-loving people who respect the Constitution. We are highly educated and have more common sense than the majority of the people who post on this site — on this story in particular.
We also know our legal limitations and do not overstep our boundaries. None of us have a “power trip” and we talk to people with respect and dignity — which is extremely successful in deterring criminal behavior.
If I saw one of my coworkers wearing a faded uniform shirt and wrinkled pants, they’d be sent home and most likely not welcome back since they’re lazy.
There are some security personnel in all areas who do have a power trip and take their job way too seriously, or they haven’t the self-respect to take their job seriously enough. Hollywood fuels the stigma that you so arrogantly (and quite ignorantly) proclaim here. Those personnel are what we like to call “Guards” and do not get the professional title of “Officer.”
WHAMMO! Reply:
April 21st, 2009 at 3:20 pm
“We also know our legal limitations and do not overstep our boundaries. None of us have a “power trip” and we talk to people with respect and dignity — which is extremely successful in deterring criminal behavior.”
Tell that to Abner Louima, Amadou Diallo and Rodney King.
Reality Reply:
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:03 am
I hate to dignify such an ignorant comment by replying to it, but I need to remind you that the abusive practices used on the three people you mentioned are not the standard and are not condoned by Police departments or Security providers. What I just said is not a secret.
Hangman1 Reply:
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:41 am
Those practices certainly ARE condoned by Police Departments. There are five thousand different videos of POLICE DEPARTMENTS using those kinds of tactics on children, women, old people, retards, anyone too WEAK to fend for themselves against massively armed cops.
Sure, the cities that employ abusive people to be POLICE officers turn their backs on the Officers once they are caught on video, but they don’t care what happens the rest of the time. They just deny, deny, deny.
You are from one of the fusion centers, that is clear.
Reality Reply:
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:58 am
Hangman1, you can certainly continue to believe what you typed in response to me there, but unfortunately you’ve just shown how ignorant about the subject you really are.
Can you clarify what a “fusion center” is? I haven’t heard that term yet.
While I will not disclose on this site where I work (due to the overwhelming number of irrational viewers), I can assure you that it is not any place that you would consider one of your “NWO enemy” or government operations.
You’d be surprised at how little trust I have in the US Government or the Federal Reserve. The difference between you and me is I actually see it all in its proper context and can decipher between emotion-fueled exaggeration and truth.
Michael Reply:
April 21st, 2009 at 3:41 pm
If only real cops had that same sense of respect, there wouldn’t be any issues with them, either.
Toecutter Reply:
April 21st, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Do you take an oath? If Please tell us to what. Does your allegiance lay with the Constitution or the signers of your paycheck? Are you there to protect and serve? If so whom do you protect and whom do you serve. The current police state has promulgated the present conditions of the subject citizen and making sure the citizen knows who’s the boss. Other than that they collect data after the fact and take notes and pick up the pieces of evidence. They have no liability to protect the Citizen and are not accountable for doing so, yet claim the authority to assure that the citizen is disarmed and therefore unable to protect themselves. Be as serious as you like but the only difference is the amount of money the government must steal from the citizenry to pay your wages. Thanks but no thanks I’ll carry my 1911 and be safer than you “security professional” can make me.
Reality Reply:
April 21st, 2009 at 11:59 pm
No, I do not take an oath. In my field of the Security Profession, we do more than what the public perceives and our #1 priority is the comfort and safety of the people we encounter. There is no “allegiance” to any one entity. Under no circumstances do we violate the Constitutional rights of anyone, or operate under any authority other than the enforcement of policies and procedures that are designed specifically around public safety. That enforcement is not performed with an authoritative candor.
We are held accountable for every action we take, and are liable for the protection of everyone within our scope of our jurisdiction. It is not a duty that any of us take lightly. Since we are not deputized and have only the power of a regular citizen, we do not find ourselves to be anything more than regular citizens and treat all people as we would like to be treated. Not only is this our personal attitude, it is policy.
Hangman1 Reply:
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:46 am
The Oakland security guards all have California State Guard Cards, which means they have Powers of Arrest. I worked security in California while I was in the Marine Corps. The citizen of California does not have the Powers of Arrest, but a Security agent, guard, officer does. No deputization when I was there.
California Security Guards are licensed on each piece of equipment they carry, baton, tonfa, handcuffs, guns and sprays. These are LAST RESORT means to their jobs though, their Primary Duty is to Observe and Report. Not to Arrest and Use Force.
Things may be changing. I was detained at Oakland airport last year for standing inside the red smoking zone box without a cigarette. NO SHIT.
The foreign born airport guard said I was obstructing other people’s right to smoke. Even though there was one smoker in the red box and the other forty five or so were standing in the doorways marked No Smoking Zone.
Reality Reply:
April 22nd, 2009 at 2:11 am
Could you provide a credible source of information that shows that a private Security officer licensed by their local or state government has the authority to officially arrest an individual? A Security Officer is not a law enforcement officer and may only physically detain a person if they have committed a crime in their presence or are a clear and immediate danger to his/herself or others. The detention is what as known as a Citizen’s Arrest and is not an official arrest. Only a certified active Law Enforcement Officer may officially arrest a person.
Security Officers must be licensed in most states and like California, must be certified and licensed to carry any type of weapon or restraint device.
It’s not a good idea for you to try to lecture me on what a Security Officer’s job duties, requirements, limitations, etc. are — especially since you do not work in the field. You will only give yourself a much more ignorant impression than you already have.
Your negative experience with a security guard at an airport is not an indication that all security personnel in the entire United States does things the same way. I am, however, interested in knowing what you were doing while you were standing inside the red zone when the security guard felt it was necessary to make contact with you.
April 21st, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Be Prepared!
http://www.warnthepeople.org/be-prepared.html
April 21st, 2009 at 2:30 pm
I live in Oakland. This will not work. Rent-a pigs will become whack-a-moles.
church of satan=judaism Reply:
April 21st, 2009 at 3:28 pm
target practice.
April 21st, 2009 at 2:38 pm
The title should read Rent-a-cop not renta-cop
April 21st, 2009 at 2:45 pm
The people should bear firearms in protest. If rent-a-cops are being used then the Govt is being negligent in its duty.
April 21st, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Speaking of renta-cops, if you haven’t seen the new Seth Rogan movie “Observe and Report,” I highly recommend that you do. It’s about a bipolar mall security officer who goes off his meds and descends into wanton violence. It’s not like Rogen’s other movies. “Observe and Report” is very dark and from the perspective of mind in the throes of SSRI discontinuation syndrome. What a coincidence that it was released when mass shhootings and murder-suicides were happening almost daily. I really want Alex to see this movie and comment on it.
April 21st, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Societal breakdown a la mercenaries!
The cities will be true jungles.
Welcome to the jungle
It gets worse here everyday
Ya learn ta live like an animal
In the jungle where we play
If you got a hunger for what you see
You’ll take it eventually
You can have anything you want
But you better not take it from me
April 21st, 2009 at 3:44 pm
anybody ever play that game “oddworld”?
Breakin Wind Reply:
April 21st, 2009 at 4:08 pm
you ever played the game call LIFE you tv worshiping dip shit
Reality Reply:
April 22nd, 2009 at 2:27 am
Now normally I don’t condone name-calling, but that one made me laugh.
April 21st, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Private uniformed security guards are the least of our troubles. Until you’ve had operations run on you by legions of busybody joe six pack’s and sally soccermom’s you haven’t seen anything.
Reality Reply:
April 22nd, 2009 at 2:28 am
I think the higher-ups of Home Owner’s Associations are more of a threat to national security and the US Constitution than any of the criminals in the Fed/US Government.
April 21st, 2009 at 4:03 pm
You win for the most mature reply of the board. Please, go away and take your swastika with ya, you are not wanted round here.
Reality Reply:
April 22nd, 2009 at 2:30 am
Your post is just kinda’ floating out here in the middle of nowhere. To what post were you referring?
Hey now Reply:
April 22nd, 2009 at 9:42 am
Not yours, it was a very stupid post that has been removed apparently.
April 21st, 2009 at 4:18 pm
anyone being payed for a civic duty has surely failed. perception has shifted from, “i feel the desire and necessity to defend my family and fellow citizens with my life, not for profit of pocket but posterity,” to… “what should i do for the almighty dollar?” where has a merican sensibility gone?
April 21st, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Isn’t ducking responsibility by hiring private “experts” by our government what got us such greats as the Federal Reserve, Blackwater and some other failed experiments? When are the people running our government going to stand up and do their damn jobs and act like adults? This will be about as effective as sending in a clown with a squirt flower to put out high rise fires! You think actual police get no respect and are involved in too many brutality incidents, just wait a couple of weeks.
dues ex organica Reply:
April 21st, 2009 at 5:46 pm
The Federal Reserve, Blackwater, and now these private cops are not failed experiments. They are working quite well…
April 21st, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Denver has a policy to mark high incident apartment complexes as “troubled” if the police need to show up too many times. The complex gets an order to hire security guards or get shut down. The guards “filter and handle” situations as they arise, then contact police if needed. I worked in such a place with orders to “be combative” and to “look for sh#t”. The more arrests the better the job. It was a crock. My co-workers HASSLED people, antagonized, and instigated things. I don’t work there anymore, to say the least. They forget to be PEACE OFFICERS and become thugs.
Reality Reply:
April 22nd, 2009 at 2:33 am
Receiving an order to break the law should be reported to IAD. No one is ever required to follow an order that conflicts with the law, even if it comes from the very top.
April 21st, 2009 at 4:59 pm
just like in the movie ‘robocop’.
April 21st, 2009 at 5:21 pm
I have first hand witnessed this atrocity to bring domestic safety upholders against the civilians. Where I live in central California, in just the past week, I have seen more and more local sheriff and highway patrol cars with signs placed over the seal on the driver side and front passenger side door that say “out of service” or “no service.” Yet I have seen these same cars still pulling people over, still wielding a gun and a badge and still writing tickets. When you are “out of service” that usually tends to mean that, you can’t perform your usual services, because you yourself have sated that you can not perform your services. Blue Sued Secret Police, any one?
April 21st, 2009 at 5:52 pm
All this jabber… The story is telling you what should be obvious. Public employees are so over paid they can be replaced 4 to 1 and still make a profit. $250,000 for a single cop. When will you people learn. the Gubbament is not your friend. Its a monster that needs to be fed by ever increasing tax payer money. Wake up. Your the slave society feeding the elite goverment unions so they can enjoy a great life style and retire at 50 years old with great pensions and benefits. This is why California is broke and raising taxes.
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:17 am
Its not that they are overpaid. They really aren’t which is why so many are pissed off. It that the police departments overhead is really high because gov’t doesn’t know or care about efficiency. I think privatization of the police force can be good. However they said they are putting these guys in a place where police officers were killed… Something about that screams mercenaries which is troubling. Whats the web page for the company. Would like to know a bit more about them.
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:33 am
“It’s Wabbit season!!!” From the indisputable Elmer Fudd!!! “All ‘HAIL’ Thermal Expansion!!!”
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:54 am
A security guard card does not give someone the power of arrest. It just means that you have passed a background check and are legal to work as a security guard. Security guards have no police powers.
Reality Reply:
April 22nd, 2009 at 2:37 am
That is correct. The only power of arrest a Security Officer has is that of Citizen Arrest. Citizen Arrests can be done by anyone. As I explained in an earlier post, a Citizen Arrest is not an official arrest and is merely a detention until a law enforcement officer can officially take someone into custody. A citizen arrest can only be done legally if the person being detained commits a crime in the presence of the detaining party or if the person being detained has presented a clear and immediate danger to his/herself or others.
IKnowMoreThanYou Reply:
April 25th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Reality: It appears from your writing that you are an educated individual, but some of your comments are a little less than correct. As a high level, educated, career law enforcement officer I am in a position to offer some additional insight. First, in my years on the job I have had hundreds of interactions with security guards, but very few didn’t express a desire to move up to real law enforcement. Second, the poweres of private security vary greatly from state to state. Some states, Virginia for example, do extend police powers, including arrest, to security if certain conditions are met. Perhaps some research is in order before you post…..
April 22nd, 2009 at 8:27 am
Ill be a rent a cop (PIG) and Ill bust all of your asses and take your guns and your house and anything else I want. Rent me bastards I can do the job well.
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:48 am
rent a cops did not take an oath to protect and defend the constitution …….. the government are the terrorist
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:51 am
Not all cops are bad ,but cops have got the bluff on politicians because politicians are basicaly gutless. And with the cops having the bluff over politicians they bluff the politicians into giving them all the pay raises and then with the cops making big money and big retirments compared to the average americans. Then the cops and poliiticians come on t.v. and lie saying they are underpaid. And they make it sound like they are getting minimum wage to risk their lives. When that isn’t the truth.Cops occasionaly get killed but so do farmers construction workers truck drivers electricians. The truth is we have kissed ass to police with there exoberant salaries of course they deny it but it’s true. And no are cities are bankrupt because of our ass kissing. Why are we all so afraid we need to kiss ass of cops for protection we need to arm and protect ourselves.Why don’t we just pay all cops one million dollars per year and then the public’s desire to kiss ass may be quenched.
TakerOfCorporateSouls Reply:
April 22nd, 2009 at 5:15 pm
most police officers fed/state/county are full of shite. I say this because of the fact that this site and others have risen up to the fraud and corruption going on at the fed/state/county level across our besieged country. Not one investigation of all the banker/lobbyist/politician fraud upon the citizens of America. Where bis the law enforcement????? What about the RICO ACT????? they go after the mafia’s with such zeal, and turn their backs on the real crime bosses, their families and their illegal assets. Law enforcement…what a crock of shite…..it is just like that stupid mentality the system pushed at the muslims after 911….when are the moderate muslims going to stand up to the radical muslims….WELL I ASK, “WHEN ARE THE MODERATE LAW ENFORCEMENT OF ALL AGENCIES GOING TO STAND UP TO THE RADICAL CORRUPTED LAW ENFORCEMENT!!!!”……I’m not going to hold my breath, pieces of shite!!!
TakerOfCorporateSouls Reply:
April 22nd, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Don’t even try to polish that tarnished piece of tin…….And I’m a firefighter saying this……outside of the District of Criminals…….tarnX will not shine up a piece of shite…..it comes out of yous a$$ as shiney as it will ever get……law enforcement, what a joke……
IKnowMoreThanYou Reply:
April 25th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
You, Sir, are an idiot.
April 22nd, 2009 at 2:11 pm
observe report and get killed for minimum wage lol the end is coming soon better get the fema camps ready
April 22nd, 2009 at 5:46 pm
it’s Rent-a-cop, not Renta-cop. you guys are stupid.