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signedpants t1_jeb7nko wrote

Why are private companies in charge of this? Just random people with zero accountability measures carrying guns around?

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memettetalks t1_jebbk46 wrote

This is the wild west society many people seem to want. No social contract, just people trying to make a buck. Lowest bidder is king.

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LurkersWillLurk t1_jebd13m wrote

Sadly, the city Sheriff’s Office isn’t even much better

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ScoutG t1_jebffg5 wrote

There’s a challenger running in the primary for sheriff. Michael Untermeyer. Seems unconnected to the current corrupt stuff that happens there. I’m voting for him if only to get the current group out.

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ScoutG t1_jebfeka wrote

There’s a challenger running in the primary for sheriff. Michael Untermeyer. Seems unconnected to the current corrupt stuff that happens there. I’m voting for him if only to get the current group out.

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MoreShenanigans t1_jebm5if wrote

What does the sheriff even do? I'm guessing they make sense in counties that have multiple towns and/or unincorporated communities, the sheriff can cover what the local police departments don't. But since the county = the city for Philly, what's the point?

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Kodiak_85 t1_jebolca wrote

Transport prisoners, provide courthouse security, locate and arrest subjects with outstanding warrants and handle any civil law enforcement (like evictions normally, but not in Philly apparently.)

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1up t1_jebprum wrote

Auctioning property to satisfy judgments is mostly what they with respect to civil judgment enforcement. They do kick people out of houses too but not for landlord/tenant evictions.

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IFSEsq t1_jec4r2y wrote

The sheriff also handles eviction.

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ArcherChase t1_jecj3yp wrote

Because private industry is the free market and always better than government. Don't you Capitalism?

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OccasionallyImmortal t1_jecmhac wrote

This is true. No armed government employee has ever needlessly shot someone. This company (won't, but) could lose their contract over this. The police? Not a chance.

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AbortedWalrusFetus t1_jecq2zi wrote

Counterpoint: unlike the police this person can actually get fired, and likely doesn't have qualified immunity. It's not much, but it might actually be an upgrade considering that.

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BureaucraticHotboi t1_jed35v6 wrote

I could almost agree, but most of these guys are ex-cops and have basically no oversight except the company that was hired to do the evictions. I’d rather it was a public employee and honestly not sure it needs to be law enforcement.

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AbortedWalrusFetus t1_jeez1tl wrote

I haven't really seen examples of public employees in Philadelphia held accountable for much. A private one can at least face liability. Normally I might agree with you, but the city government does not function normally or anywhere close to ideally

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BureaucraticHotboi t1_jefq4he wrote

I will say the Inspector Generals office has actually weeded out most of the literal graft. I’m not saying their isn’t misuse of funds or other thing. But people are no longer widely taking bribes. Which is something lol

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