But to the point, good sticking up for your 1st amendment rights. Go get em

Obviously there is a huge difference from security officer compared to peace officer (police). You are acting as if this is something new. Unfortunately you are not comparing apples to apples. Yes security officers can only conduct citizens arrest. Just like any citizen in the state of california. The difference is whether you know it or not Transit security is not your typical day to day security ( believe or not) call it what you want wannabe cop, academy drop outs, or whatever but it is the truth you cannot compare transit security to say “securitas”. yes same guard card is needed, and permits are needed, but the type of work is COMPLETELY different See transit security does not guard parking lots, empty buildings, or construction sites. They “police” the trolley though they are not police. this does not make them wannabe cops security has this old time persona of being wannabe cops. Many people hold them to the same standard as police because they are similiar in uniforms. Transit security does an enormous amount of law enforcement activity conducted with neighboring police agencies. Anyways I’d like to chat with you more if you have any questions……drop me a line….

That being said, I want to leave my original post is I wrote it back in September 2009, not because I don’t agree with you, but because I would like this blog to show the progression of what I am learning from the experience.
Rob´s last blog ..Eventually He Pointed His Camera At The Sky

we all have the same “authority” and powers that these guys have

by writing that these guys are police itjust adds some sort of false legitimacy to them when they’re just a bunch of rent a cops harassing members of the public

I like your pictures of the trolley station from up above, and of the speeding trolley. One thing as you are very correct the trolley security officer should have never told you not to take picture. Maybe you were a bit to close should have told you to step back, just to make sure no one interferes or to allow the officers enough room. The trolley officer telling you you are not allowed or to not tke pictures was obviously as you know WRONG. I agree 110%, unfortunately the two officers that informed of the the so called “law” were new.

“SOME” NOT ALL trolley security guards are fresh out of high school first job they have ever had like any other place, again its only a security gig. There is a handful of very squared away officers experienced, and well on there way to bigger and better things.

I could definitely understand your frustration on this matter, which could have been brought to the attention of a supervisor that happen to be on scene.

Only thing I see is that this sheds more bad light on the whole ” trolley security” we are already WAY UNDERPAID, forced to do about 50 thousand things at once or be faced with daily threats of unemployment. Remember were all people we all make mistakes. Many people hold us or compare to higher standards because of our uniforms. Rather then attempt to make things worse why not attempt to make things better?

lack of training, rather then b**** and complain about it, what can you do to make things better, you got your time in the spotlight,did you make any suggestions for correcting the problem? no, and until someone does things will never change……