Is it just me or does something seem really wrong with this? Stolen goods recovered by police are being auctioned off by the officers at a site called Propertyroom.com. Supposedly, when items are found and no one claims these items, they become merchandise on a Website. However, I have questions… First, are there any attempts to notify the public that items have been recovered from a theft? Second, how are these items found? Was there a lead from folks reporting that their belongings have been stolen? Third, I just can’t imagine people NOT wanting to have their personal stuff back. Obviously, they don’t know about it. Fourth, is it really legal to sell this stuff? I mean, really? Items on the site include jewelry, watches, power boats, cars, electronics, and computers. Among the top three states to put items up for auction, Florida ranks as one of them. And the reason for selling off stolen merchandise is, according to police, “because there isn’t enough storage room.” Hmm…

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As airport screeners have now been given the privilege of wearing police-style badges, the real police officers are outraged. However, what is even more outrageous is the reason behind this badge-wearing trend. According to the Transportation Security Administration, the change is needed as an attempt to “project an image of authority” to airline passengers.

According to A.J. Castilla, a screener at Boston’s Logan Airport and a spokesman for a screeners union, “It’ll go a long way to enhance the respect of this workforce.”

“Some of our officers aren’t respected,” TSA spokeswoman Ellen Howe said. “The attire aims to convey an image of authority to passengers, who have harassed, pushed and in a few instances punched screeners.”

In return, I’m sure there are many passengers who feel the same lack of respect from screeners. While I fully understand why security has tightened, flying has become a nightmare. Aside from the high costs of tickets and everything else including the in-flight movie, second bag fee, street check-in fee, and a even the price of a lousy peanut bag (seriously, peanuts are now $3), dealing with security, who basically treat us like cattle with mad cow disease tops the cake.

The friendly skies are anything but friendly anymore. Airport screeners bark orders, pat us down, give us that cold, prison glare and make us wonder if we’ll even make it onto the plane or end up in a secret airport underground, white padded room. We’ve all seen the many news reports regarding screeners’ mistreatment of passengers. Strip searches, humiliating requests and other means of intimidation are often reported by victimized passengers. Therefore, to hear that the screeners will now get a power-tripping booster is a bit frightening.

And yes, police do have reason to be offended. Screeners, as much as they try to be, are not officers. Former high school security guards or residential security guards, probably. But, a police officer, no way. Why then are they allowed to wear badges? Is this legal? And other than to make “screeners appear more authoritative” (God help us), what does this badge mean in a legal sense? In short, how much power do they have?

Lines are being crossed and down the road, this could become a real problem. In this particular case, laws are definitely about to become very gray.

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