The headline is misleading. Cities are not hiring private guards,individuals are.

There is a very good possibility that that is also related to the fear and insecurity in our economy due to covid and racial issues.

I agree that it creates a much murkier area regarding violence. Some States do have firm structured guidelines for private security.

Some cities are trying to restructure their police force but unfortunately government moves slowly. I'm looking forward to a shining example that has great success.

I recognize the potential danger with this but I also see positives.

Police actively hunt for people to arrest for non-violent crimes and to issue citations to. They are a coordinated army of oppression. These guards will mostly be protecting property and doing crowd control. They won't be out fighting the drug war, pulling people over and looking for any random reason to search the vehicle, patrolling minority neighborhoods and seizing people's property. Police bring the oppression to you, security guards have no jurisdiction over you if you stay away from their employer's property.

I think this is a natural transitional step toward real police reform. If we get rid of police, cities must find some replacement. This is far from ideal and we will need to increase oversight over them and hopefully, someday, build a rational police force which has real accountability and actually serves and protects the populace.

One step from government sanctioned mercenaries.
Well if it good enough for POTUS?

Is History Repeating itself.

The Black shirts were the paramilitary wing of the National Fascist Party, known as the Squadrismo, and after 1923 an all-volunteer militia of the Kingdom of Italy under Fascist rule, similar to the SA in Nazi Germany. Its members were distinguished by their black uniforms (modeled on those of the Arditi, Italy's elite troops of World War I) and their loyalty to Benito Mussolini.

Now America is replacing the Police with Private security forces.

Our the the Frying Pan and into the Fire.