Fewer Cops in Oakland?

In this Wall Street Journal article from last year, we learn that Oakland is one of the many cities across America that is choosing to balance its budget by reducing public safety:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124027127337237011.html

As the article notes:

“Facing pressure to crack down on crime amid a record budget deficit, Oakland is joining other U.S. cities that are turning over more law-enforcement duties to private armed guards. The City Council recently voted to hire International Services Inc., a private security agency, to patrol crime-plagued districts.”

This is a bad policy on two levels. First, public safety is the last thing that a city should cut. But second, there is a better way to balance the city budget. Like a business, city governments should look for new income. And divestiture is the way to do just that.