Pubdate: Mon, 27 May 2002
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2002 The New York Times Company
Contact:  http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298
Section: Editorial/Op-Ed
Author: Ted R. Gottfried

QUALITY-OF-LIFE CRIMES

To the Editor:

Following a new mayoral initiative (front page, May 22), New York City 
prosecutors and police said they would begin cracking down on repeat petty 
crimes like prostitution, public drinking and drug use, whose perpetrators 
serve little jail time. These "criminals" could now serve as much as a year 
in prison.

Why not target other quality-of-life crimes like car-horn blowers, loud 
radio players, litterers? Maybe it's because it's easier to demonize and 
scapegoat prostitutes and pot smokers for political gain.

Why are we jailing these people? Are pot smokers really such a threat to 
the city?

After all, they have virtually no effect on their surroundings, while a 
manic late-night horn blower can awaken an entire city block.

Why not use the limited police resources to take aim at crimes that involve 
violence or loss of property instead?

TED R. GOTTFRIED New York, May 22, 2002
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom