comment: >
  
  No, but they can incentivize them to be more present. An enormous gas station near me, over 100 pumps, has constant police presence because they let them fill their drinks for free. They’re more likely to stop by and wander around for a bit and leave.
context: The company has found private security guards to be “largely ineffective” in deterring theft, so instead it’s putting in more police and law enforcement officers.
  
  I'm sorry what? Private companies can turn police officers into glorified security guards?