Some feedback on armed security for the press and the police at protests.
The reason that armed security does not wear uniforms, vests or identification is because it makes them look similar to police officers and makes them targets of ANTIFA protestors. The intent is that armed security protecting the press at protests should wear clothes that make them look inconspicuous.
Also keep in mind that ANTIFA protestors have been attacking and harassing the press. In Raleigh (and other cities) they block the press from taking video by rushing media members with umbrellas and throwing objects at them. This can be seen in the coverage of the recent nighttime ANTIFA riot in Raleigh.
This is also a good time to make a point about legitimate press versus ANTIFA rioters wearing press vests pretending to be innocent press members and then throwing objects at the police. The entire intent of the ANTIFA protestors, of course, is to undermine the legitimate press so the police will not trust anyone with press credentials.
The next point is the purpose of armed private security contracted to protest press members. Their job includes:
- Advising the press members on properly complying with police instructions.
- Advising the press members on when a situation is becoming too dangerous and they should back away in order to get their coverage. (The recent Raleigh protests had a live-clip of a security contractor telling the reporter this).
- Protect the press members from physical harm by acting to defend them from violence.
In many cities the private armed security hiring to protect the press are known to the police. In Raleigh the police brief the armed security contractors prior protests to provide guidance.
Legitimate press members follow police instructions. Most legitimate press members are already known to the police. Most legitimate press members now have contract security when covering protests to protect them from violent protestors (either right or left).
ANTIFA members pretending to be press do not follow police instructions. They throw objects at police while wearing "press" vests and then feign outrage when they are arrested. They don't belong to mainstream media outlets but to some nonsensical "media outlet". Of course, ANTIFA members pretending to be press do not hire trained security guards as contractors to protect them.
As an additional note.... most media outlets now serve their photos and video immediately to the cloud when it is taken. In event if a reporter is arrested and their equipment is taken away then the newsroom can still immediately take their coverage and use it -- without the risk of the police either deleting photos or holding on to the equipment.