[Jeff Higgins]

Hmm... private security firms instead of cops. Interesting idea. So how would they secure contracts? Cost and performance, like everyone else. Performance would have to measured in some way... let's see... number of arrests, conviction rates, stuff like that, measurable metrics. So now we have the cheapest private security firm available, performing to their measures. The profit motive has entered into the law enforcement equation. Think today's photo enforcement for red light violations that has been turned over to the private sector. Shortened yellow light intervals, to the point of causing accidents, so they can nab more people. Think of that on a far grander scale. Yikes.

We are already awash in accusations that our law enforcement pads the pockets of folks in the private sector. Bad enough that the good old speed trap fills the public coffers. In addition to the red light camera scam making private sector businesses rich, we have the privatization of the prison system in some states. The more beds are full, the more money they make. The accusations run along the lines of the fat cat prison owners "lobbying" law makers and law enforcers to further their interests - keeping those beds full. Now imagine a prison owner that has a part interest in a security firm that just won a large contract in a big city. Yee-haw...