Every afternoon private security officers stop traffic on U.S. 421 for Progress Energy employees. This is dangerous. Is this legal?
A. It’s safer to have someone directing traffic during peak traffic hours, according to Sgt. Jerry Brewer, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office spokesman.
Because of that, Brewer said companies have two options to help ease traffic.
They can hire a private security company, or they can contract with local law enforcement to monitor conditions and direct cars.
For example, BellSouth does the same thing on North College Road near Laney High School during the school year.
“It is actually more dangerous for them not to be there with workers trying to dart out into traffic,” Brewer said.
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Date posted: June 21, 2012
User-contributed question by:
Anonymous
I drive this route every evening and agree that this is dangerous. These private security guards dart in and out of traffic and have their cars (not REAL police vehicles) with lights flashing parked along 421 which also disrupts traffic.
Why is a company like Progress Energy not subject to the same DOT rules and regulations as a developer. If someone wants to build a shopping center or a housing development they are required to have a full traffic study completed and based on the results then required to install turn lanes or traffic lights. This would be a much better and much less dangerous solution than the “mall guards”.