Group Tied to Nation of Islam to Patrol Miami Streets
 

Plan for Group Tied to Nation of Islam to Patrol Miami Streets Meets With Protest
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
By Julienne Gage

I doubt this will fly, but FWIW check it out

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,361903,00.html

Interesting development on a variety of levels.

First, it suggests that the city has lost some degree of control in some neighborhoods; and, in addition, they do not have enough money to use traditional police. So, they're trying to maintain some degree of law and order on the cheap.

The Nation of Islam gains money, of course; but far more importantly, they gain visibility, credibility, and some degree of power.

Pure speculation: The present economic downturn has not yet been reflected in most city and state budgets. If and when that occurs, the squeeze is likely to be substantial. Which could mean that any approach that saves money will be used.

I wonder what happens if unrest or a natural disaster disrupts normal patterns. Would the Peacemakers go to other areas to requisition supplies? Would they have legal authority to do so? And what of those who resisted such incursions, whether official or otherwise?

The city is in debt to it's eyeballs, the police are underpaid and understaffed, so they decide to go with this? Unbelievable.

And people ask me why I avoid all of Dade county at all costs..

In my own locale, the city decided to cover all the busses in ads. I suppose one can say it is colorful; but it hints at budget problems.

Since San Antonio depends on tourism heavily, I wonder what will happen as the tourist trade declines? It seems likely the cutbacks will be numerous and painful. I suspect the same pattern will repeat in my locations.

Perhaps Dade county is coming to many of us.

Well, it certainly doesn't help when the county and city of Miami decide to spend over $300 million of tox dollars on a new stadium for our baseball team...