Smoking a cigarette outdoors is pretty fucking harmless / not bothersome anyway, but I understand that the PBA (and the other directors who call the shots) has a great number of sticks up its ass about the park's appearance. I have no doubt in my mind that if parks & rec (or just the police) were wholly tasked with patrolling it, it would be overrun with street kids, mangy dogs and strewn with trash and butts.
That said, the security goons at Pioneer Square have long been known to be petty and dickish, but you're absolutely spot on that they should have no business patrolling the outer sidewalk for smoking passerby. They're bored and doing their job (which is busywork). Still, a good opportunity to shout FUCK OFF as loudly as possible without much fear of rebuttal. So maybe it's a blessing when they harass you?
@Torgo - Yes they're real, and they're entirely incompetent. Thereās usually 3 on duty, theyāre forbidden from touching people (even if thereās a fight), and their calls are ignored by real police dispatch. I walk through the square just about every workday, and every time thereās someone (or 5 people) smoking a cigarette while waiting for the MAX. The harassment by the guards is asinine, especially compared to the number of poorly planned and quite obvious drug dealing happening on 3 corners of that place. They are a useless ass-hat absent of all authority and dressed like a big boy in blue, including the stitched on badge.
A couple years ago I hosted an unpermitted anti-war rally there, the bearded 6ā2ā guard came over to told me that I (and the other 30 of us) had to leave because we didnāt apply for a permit. Having previously applied for permits at the square, I believe the least expensive option costs near $2,000 (for one quarter of the place). We were not causing any problems, and it was a Sunday morning, so I looked him straight in the eye and told him to go fuck himself. He said nothing, turned around, walked 25 feet away, and then scribbled in his notebook with intimidating fury for the next 30 minutes.
@Fidelity Axiom - Wow. I would say that whatever (City?) agency is hiring them is probably wasting their money. Do you happen to know who they work for? I'd kind of like to write a letter.
@Torgo - they're called Pacific Patrol, but there's no reason to write them, or anyone at the city a letter. No one will cares about your opinion, people will only notice your actions. If you wipe your ass with your letter it will have more utility.
If you just google them you'll see they've had very violent incidents in the past, and city leaders didn't bat an eye.
what exactly was the purpose of this one? are toothpicks in your mouth still allowed in the square? how about shuffleboard gangs?
jerk! (happy new year!)
That said, the security goons at Pioneer Square have long been known to be petty and dickish, but you're absolutely spot on that they should have no business patrolling the outer sidewalk for smoking passerby. They're bored and doing their job (which is busywork). Still, a good opportunity to shout FUCK OFF as loudly as possible without much fear of rebuttal. So maybe it's a blessing when they harass you?
A couple years ago I hosted an unpermitted anti-war rally there, the bearded 6ā2ā guard came over to told me that I (and the other 30 of us) had to leave because we didnāt apply for a permit. Having previously applied for permits at the square, I believe the least expensive option costs near $2,000 (for one quarter of the place). We were not causing any problems, and it was a Sunday morning, so I looked him straight in the eye and told him to go fuck himself. He said nothing, turned around, walked 25 feet away, and then scribbled in his notebook with intimidating fury for the next 30 minutes.
If you just google them you'll see they've had very violent incidents in the past, and city leaders didn't bat an eye.