One thought: isn't this fairer, in that private businesses pay for the security they need? There are obviously some big civil liberties questions, but if a busi

One thought: isn't this fairer, in that private businesses pay for the security they need? There are obviously some big civil liberties questions, but if a business wants to put their own security into their place of business and tout that fact as a way to bring people back downtown, I have no objections. That these private security companies are doing neighborhood security is one thing, but I know the Portland downtown is hemorrhaging businesses because of the lack of security. I'm sorry that a small mom and pop restaurant needs to foot that bill, but perhaps with a few large hotels it makes it economically viable. And, as a taxpayer, the cops I pay for don't need to do that (and they seem unwilling lately anyway).