I just re-read my own post, and I think I might need to apologize. Didnt mean to come off so harsh. The internet is a great way to communicate but it lacks nuances like facial expressions, tone of voice, and other body language needed to fully express yourself. Sorry if it looked as if I was chewing on you a bit.
My point is basically that the public is stupid. If your bees stung someone and the news reports killer bees attack, or children stung by bees unprovoked, or child maliciously attacked by bees, the public will buy it and run with it. From then its just a matter of a lawyer and deep pockets and your civilly liable. Take a look at the frivolous lawsuits that get won all the time. I dont think your idea is impossible, it just needs further thought and planning.
To be my own devils advocate, it could also be about "packaging". A stack of boxes in a fence with bees coming and going is mundane and not exciting. Not too many folks can get attached to that or take anything home from watching it. If something was to go wrong who would care if it was removed? Do something like was mentioned in another post and slap an observation hive on it, build a small structure to house some equipment and to conceal the main part of the hive and you have something unique. You can use the opportunity to post bee facts and some pictures. Now you have a zoo exhibit, not a bee hive. Its the same thing as a regular hive, just packaged in a way the public can get something out of it. I guess you could say the public could "own" it because they can interact with it. Of course that would take funding and a whole other pile of logistics that make it more improbable to happen. With a display like that I think people would be more tolerant of a bee sting here and there vs the plain bee hive approach.
As for looking to Europe as an example of "how they do it", well Europe is........, its just Europe. They drive on the wrong side of the road, eat cabbage stuffed in animal stomachs, only allow criminals to have guns(how do you take from the people who get them illegally in the first place?) eat snails, and a lot of their families originated from cultures that believed incest was the best way to cultivate a perfect society. I know may have just opened Pandora's Box, Im just saying that we cant really apply everything done with European standards to North American standards.