TexasCHLforum.com

lkd wrote:

Beiruty wrote:100% of the time, unmanned. Do not ask me how do I know. Just ask your self, have you ever seen someone getting down to go to the bathroom?

The Parks Mall in Arlington has these too. Also always unmanned.

Shhh. Don't tell.

Urban scarecrows?

The fact is LE agencies can't afford to staff them on a regular basis any more than they could afford to assign a patrol unit to drive around the parking lot. The incidence and severity of crime in those locations doesn't justify tying up those resources to such a small geographic area.

They're great tools for events where there's a lot of dense population and unusual activity in a relatively small area and observation range from vehicles or foot patrols is very limited.

Part of the reason for planting them in parking lots likely has to do with justifying the cost of purchase with deployed time numbers.

seamusTX wrote:I agree we have gone far down the road to where most people won't accept responsibility for their own safety, even with regard to simple measures like locking their car doors. That encourages criminals. Obviously most goofs who rob convenience stores or burglarize occupied houses don't expect the victims to be prepared.

Furthermore, some police officials discourage active self defense. We see the quotations all the time. They must be taught in police public-relations school.

- Jim

You'll see those comments much more frequently from chiefs who serve at the pleasure of a liberal politician. They are political animals and behave as such. They were selected for this quality, and their continued employment depends on it.

Civil service chiefs who can't be fired unless they commit a felony often speak more freely and truthfully.