RentaCops in Public Spaces?

[Justin]

On 2006-01-23T13:37:38-0500, Tyler Durden wrote:
> Over West Street by the former World Trade Center site there are two 
> pedestrian footbridges.
> 
> Something's been pissing me off a bit: Each of those bridges (which run 
> over West Street--public property) are staffed by non-Cops with gray 
> jackets that say "SECURITY". periodically, if someone goes the wrong way up 
> an escalator or a tourist crosses a line to get a better photo, these 
> rentaCops will whistle or shout them out of wherever they are.
> 
> Is this legal? Are we really allowing private rentacops to take police 
> functions on public property?

The city can probably contract private security if it wants.  The
footbridges may not even be public property, just open to the public.

-- 
The six phases of a project:
I. Enthusiasm.         IV. Search for the Guilty.
II. Disillusionment.   V. Punishment of the Innocent.
III. Panic.            VI. Praise & Honor for the Nonparticipants.