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Abstract: When crime threatens to undermine revitalization efforts in downtown Oakland, California, local corporate leaders and merchants propose a seemingly simple idea to a fiscally strapped city government. Their proposal: that additional municipal police be deployed downtown at private expense. In framing the decision as to whether to accept this idea, the case allows for discussion of a surprisingly complex set of issues. Is it appropriate for government to sell its authority? What precedent would the privately funded police unit set? What effects would the new unit have on operations within the police department? A case with operations, political management and ethical dimensions.