New at Reason

November 29, 2006

Jacob Sullum reveals how "tough on crime" zoning laws make hardened crooks out of unfortunate offenders.

Comments

|11.29.06 @ 7:41AM|#

I was with him until the final para which contains this remarkably stupid assertion:

"It's doubtful that zoning laws like these have ever or will ever protect a single child from drug addiction, gun violence, or sexual assault."

|11.29.06 @ 8:35AM|#

It is worth noting that some dacronian sentences in Tullia, Texas cases were because the "crimes" occured in drug free zones.

thoreau|11.29.06 @ 8:48AM|#

Across the country, politicians are eager to draw magical circles of protection

Is this a D&D thread?

As to DavidS's point, you are almost certainly correct that, on the margin, these zones have prevented a tiny handful of crimes. Just about any law will have an effect on the margin. However, Jacob presented good reasons to suspect that the marginal effect is exceedingly tiny, so that his final sentence can be excused as mild hyperbole.

Rhywun|11.29.06 @ 9:02AM|#

I dunno. The assertion sounds valid to me. Criminals aren't overly worried about laws or cops - what makes anyone think they're worried about crossing the magic line?

|11.29.06 @ 10:01AM|#

My favorite bumber sticker ever; "Ban Crime". I am starting to realize that to many people in this country, especially state legislters, there is nothing ironic about the sticker.

|11.29.06 @ 10:02AM|#

Technically, these aren't zoning laws.

Zoning laws regulate land use, not individuals' occupancy of buildings.

|11.29.06 @ 10:04AM|#

When I lived in North Carolina, one of the favorite places to put a "license checkpoint" was on the street in front of the junior high school. That way if you were caught with anything illegal you would be within the drug-free, gun-free, alcohol-free zone. Didn't matter that was after 11 PM and there weren't any children there. You were in the zone!

|11.29.06 @ 10:08AM|#

Nice use of the classic Mr. Show skit.

Larry A|11.29.06 @ 10:47AM|#

Cops already have cars, guns, radios, computers, handcuffs, tasers, pepper spray, flashlights, and expandable batons. Now they have to carry a GPS unit.

dagny|11.29.06 @ 12:22PM|#

Zoning laws regulate land use, not individuals' occupancy of buildings.

You obviously forget the first uses of zoning laws: keeping people with the wrong skin color out of certain neighborhoods.

Jeff S.|11.29.06 @ 12:34PM|#

Don't forget the hate free zones. All over the place in Berkeley and Oakland, they really lengthen my commute.