Well, OK, so that's a slight exaggeration. But not as much as you might think. In Denver they're using a new program where taxi drivers are working as eyes and ears for the police
Why am I bummed about this? There are a couple of reasons. The first is the reason this is happening -- budget cuts. With state and city budgets cut to the bone and federal dollars not available to replace them cities can't simply hire more police.
And of course it's just another example of the growing police state mentality in America. The city wants to expand the program to package delivery drivers and even interstate truckers. What's next? Pizza delivery drivers?
And of course the perky, upbeat announcers on NPR were just so excited by this novel solution to the problem. Heaven forbid we actually raised taxes on some rich Kochsuckers to pay for basic city services. Oh no, that would be un-American. Having everyone and their dog spying on each other? That's the new America.