Sick of Your Local Police Force? Crowdfund Your Own 330
Nerval's Lobster writes "A subset of Oakland, California residents have decided to crowd-fund a set of private security patrols, via a trio of campaigns on a crowdfunding Website named Crowdtilt. The three patrols, if adequately funded, will cover Lower Rockridge North/West, Lower Rockridge South/West, and Lower Rockridge 'including part of the Uplands.' Each campaign has a different (Facebook verified, apparently) sponsor, and wants between $20,000 and $25,000 to make the dream of private patrols a reality. Unlike Kickstarter, the Crowdtilt campaigns don't feature fabulous prizes for contributing; gifting $100, for example, won't entitle you to 'One (1) free "accidental" shooting of your choice.' That aside, dozens of residents have contributed cash to the loosely allied projects. 'What occurred last week at the Casual Carpool has ignited our neighborhood to act,' reads one of the campaign descriptions, referring to the broad-daylight stickup of commuters waiting in a carpool line on Oakland's Hudson Street. 'While the city and the police are doing what they can, we feel it's time for us as a community to begin exploring a wide range of ideas and taking some action on our own.' All three crowdfunding pages want to hire VMA Security Group for a four-month trial period through February 2014, possibly followed by a continuing contract if everything works out. That security company already patrols the Rockridge commercial district during the holiday season, and protects a number of Oakland businesses and households. While the VMA Security Group's officers are certified to carry firearms, one of the crowdfunding pages plans to ask any of them assigned to the neighborhood to remain unarmed 'unless they feel they cannot accomplish their duties otherwise.' Upscale neighborhoods pay for private security all the time, of course. The question is whether crowdfunding — better known for financing things such as games and indie movies, at this point — could catch on as a way of funding residential projects."
Re:gift is not a verb (Score:0, Informative)
When being a grammar pedant, it's important to be correct. You are not [merriam-webster.com]. (keep scrolling, it's the second definition, a transitive verb).
Re:Going Old School (Score:5, Informative)
Fire fighting actually had a less social origin. The first formal fire-fighting organisations were in London, and private businesses. They ran on the insurance model: Property owners paid a fixed due on intervals for protection, and if their property caught fire then the fire engine would be dispatched (Along with men to pump it - this was pre-engine, all hand driven) and the firemen would do their best to put the fire out.
The companies were quite unpopular because of another business approach of theirs: If a property caught fire that *wasn't* owned by a customer, they'd still drive the engine up. And then sit around idley, while the boss negotiated payment. As they had the upper hand in those negotiations, they could usually get a massive fee to put the fire out.