Just as one example, take the case of the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute. I worked there as a technician for about a year back in 1985 (I think it was 1985) installing video surveillance and videoconferencing equipment. I STARTED OUT as just a plain old maintenance worker, which meant I was employed by UCLA but when I got the techie job that made me a state worker by some wierd stroke of machinery.
I never actually understood why installing video equipment made it a state job, but anyway...my job was exceedingly dangerous because it often put me on ward floors where hospital mental patients were housed.
It just so happened that once in a while a patient happened to wander into an area where I was working, stringing cable or installing video decks, or hooking up cameras.
I had a tool cart, which instantly became a treasure trove of weapons. I never got injured but several attempts were made by patients to attack me, and I learned that one worker suffered a near fatal stabbing the year before.
The folks who took care of the security at UCLA NPI were also state workers.
Now, imagine if THEY are getting minimum wage.

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