CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Security concerns are arising in the City Beautiful as residents spot extra security patrolling the streets who happen to be unarmed security guards instead of police officers.
City officials said the newly hired security officers won't make arrests, won't carry guns and won't issue tickets.
Still some critics believe this is a bad idea that could create a public safety issue.
"Right now, this is temporary, but the city is looking to make this permanent," Daniel Gonzalez, with FPI Security Services, said.
FPI is a private security firm that's been hired by the city in an effort to help fight crime.
Local 10's cameras caught up with the security team Wednesday night as they patrolled the north end of the city, an area police said has been hit by a rash of burglaries in recent months.
"As a resident of Coral Gables, I think it is fantastic," Jorge Galbis said. "Anything we can help to make our county and city more safe, that would be great."
But unlike Coral Gables police, the security guards won't be armed with guns.
That's one reason why some members of the Police Department believe the program could create a public safety issue for the city's 49,000 residents.
"What is the difference between one of these security guards and John Doe who lives in the north end?" Local 10 News reporter Michael Seiden asked Sgt. Tomas Salcedo.
"There's not too much of a difference. The only difference is they have a radio and they communicate with police. That's all," Salcedo said.
John Baublitz, president of the Coral Gables police union, said he learned about the issue Wednesday and has requested a meeting with the city to discuss officers' concerns.
The city claims this is all a big misunderstanding.
"The essence of the program is to provide outreach programs to the community and at the same time, be the eyes and ears in the event they see something, they say something," Assistant City Manager and Public Safety Director Frank Fernandez said.
The city said it has 17 vacancies, but they made it clear that all patrols in the neighborhoods are fully staffed. They said they want the security guards to be vigilant, but leave the police work to police.