Communities hiring private security as crime rises amid police shortage
WASHINGTON DC July 17, 2022 This year’s violent crime numbers are on pace to surpass 2021 for cities like Baltimore, New York, Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and Seattle.
The New York Times reports that assaults at retail establishments are increasing faster than the national average.
This year’s violent crime numbers are on pace to surpass 2021 for cities like Baltimore, New York, Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and Seattle.
Earlier this week, Starbucks announced the closing of 16 stores, mostly in L.A. and Seattle. A letter to employees cited safety concerns.
“Everything about Seattle is wonderful except the crime that goes unchecked and you start to feel unsafe,” one Seattle resident told Sinclair sister station KOMO.
Staffing levels for police departments in many cities are hitting critical lows.
“It’s a crisis. It continues to worsen, “ said Jason Johnson, president of the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund. “People who are law enforcement officers — for, I think understandable reasons — are discouraged, demoralized and are really looking for an exit.”
Crime is not only dangerous for citizens, it’s also bad for business.
In an effort to boost safety, some communities are now hiring private security companies to help fill in the gaps when police don’t have enough manpower.
Earlier this year, the Downtown Seattle Association hired unarmed private guards to help patrol a business district overrun by homeless people and drugs.
Last month in Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot dedicated $5.3 million to protect homes and businesses with private security devices.
In Maryland, the Downtown Annapolis Partnership announced last week they are using state money to hire what they call “safety ambassadors” from a private company.
“This was the best way to improve safety downtown,” Erik Evans, executive director of the Downtown Partnership, told the Capital Gazette.
“I get what the businesses are doing, the cities with the lack of resources, but this is not a good move,” said Johnson. “We can’t outsource law enforcement this way to the private sector they’re not empowered to make arrests and enforce the law.”
With recruitment numbers dwindling, some worry about the future of the profession, the quality of new recruits, and growing fears of rising crime for the foreseeable future.
