This is a city metric I haven't seen before. City Observatory recently looked at the number of police officers (public) and security guards (private) per capita across American cities. They also ask a bunch of interesting questions. Why do some cities have far fewer police officers? Is high security an indicator for "anti-social capital?" (Social norms aren't encouraging people to behave.) And do some cities simply have more cops because it is perceived to be necessary?
Here is what they found:
The average is about 3.3 police officers per 1,000. And in each case, city is defined as the metro area. The study relies on census data and, if we're being precise, the data represents where people live as opposed to where they work. So some cities could be reporting a lower number simply because police officers tend to live outside of the metro area -- perhaps because of housing costs. Either way, it's interesting to consider why some cities spend a lot more on security than others and why Miami has so many security guards.
Chart: City Observatory
This is a city metric I haven't seen before. City Observatory recently looked at the number of police officers (public) and security guards (private) per capita across American cities. They also ask a bunch of interesting questions. Why do some cities have far fewer police officers? Is high security an indicator for "anti-social capital?" (Social norms aren't encouraging people to behave.) And do some cities simply have more cops because it is perceived to be necessary?
Here is what they found:
The average is about 3.3 police officers per 1,000. And in each case, city is defined as the metro area. The study relies on census data and, if we're being precise, the data represents where people live as opposed to where they work. So some cities could be reporting a lower number simply because police officers tend to live outside of the metro area -- perhaps because of housing costs. Either way, it's interesting to consider why some cities spend a lot more on security than others and why Miami has so many security guards.
Chart: City Observatory
Patented in 1919, the hard hat was invented by a man named Edward W. Bullard (though his father had already been making protective leather caps for the mining industry). Edward had just returned to the United States after World War I and he began to wonder why construction workers weren't wearing helmets like the one he had been wearing overseas. So he decided to make one.
Edward's first product was called the Hard Boiled Hat, and it was made out of steamed canvas and leather. Similar to today, an early version of the hat featured a "suspension system," which created an air cavity between head and helmet and cushioned any blows to the head. This overarching design approach hasn't really changed all that much over the years, but Bullard's hats did go from canvas to aluminum (1938) and then to plastic (1950). Plastic is, of course, cheaper to produce.
Supposedly, the first designated "Hard Hat Area" in the US was the Golden Gate Bridge site, which started construction in 1933. This should give you a sense of the hard hat's adoption curve. It seemingly took well over a decade for construction sites to start mandating their usage, and even then it doesn't appear to have been ubiquitous.
The company -- which was founded in 1898 in San Francisco -- is now in its fifth generation of family ownership, according to the New York Times.
Photo by Guilherme Cunha on Unsplash
Today was a fairly relaxed day after many hours of travel. But tomorrow the architecture and design tour begins.
I am still trying to get a feel for the city. The first thing people tell you after you arrive is to be careful. Don’t go out at night. And take Ubers.
Uber is a significant advantage in a place like Rio where few people seem to speak English and you may be concerned about somebody taking you for a ride.
Not only was the Uber from GIG about R$80 less expensive than a taxi (I was probably quoted the gringo rate), but you also get perfect information in terms of where you are going.
This emphasis on safety and security is, of course, highly evident as you walk around the city. Lots of gates and lots of cameras.
It’s perhaps a bit ironic to see so many places sealed off from the outside when you consider how great the climate is and how friendly the people are.
Patented in 1919, the hard hat was invented by a man named Edward W. Bullard (though his father had already been making protective leather caps for the mining industry). Edward had just returned to the United States after World War I and he began to wonder why construction workers weren't wearing helmets like the one he had been wearing overseas. So he decided to make one.
Edward's first product was called the Hard Boiled Hat, and it was made out of steamed canvas and leather. Similar to today, an early version of the hat featured a "suspension system," which created an air cavity between head and helmet and cushioned any blows to the head. This overarching design approach hasn't really changed all that much over the years, but Bullard's hats did go from canvas to aluminum (1938) and then to plastic (1950). Plastic is, of course, cheaper to produce.
Supposedly, the first designated "Hard Hat Area" in the US was the Golden Gate Bridge site, which started construction in 1933. This should give you a sense of the hard hat's adoption curve. It seemingly took well over a decade for construction sites to start mandating their usage, and even then it doesn't appear to have been ubiquitous.
The company -- which was founded in 1898 in San Francisco -- is now in its fifth generation of family ownership, according to the New York Times.
Photo by Guilherme Cunha on Unsplash
Today was a fairly relaxed day after many hours of travel. But tomorrow the architecture and design tour begins.
I am still trying to get a feel for the city. The first thing people tell you after you arrive is to be careful. Don’t go out at night. And take Ubers.
Uber is a significant advantage in a place like Rio where few people seem to speak English and you may be concerned about somebody taking you for a ride.
Not only was the Uber from GIG about R$80 less expensive than a taxi (I was probably quoted the gringo rate), but you also get perfect information in terms of where you are going.
This emphasis on safety and security is, of course, highly evident as you walk around the city. Lots of gates and lots of cameras.
It’s perhaps a bit ironic to see so many places sealed off from the outside when you consider how great the climate is and how friendly the people are.
Share Dialog
Share Dialog
Share Dialog
Share Dialog
Share Dialog
Share Dialog
