Reason.com
New at Reason
Jacob Sullum reveals how "tough on crime" zoning laws make hardened crooks out of unfortunate offenders.
Most Popular Stories
- 5 Classic Teen Sex-and-Drug Freakouts: Rainbow Parties, Butt-Chugging, And So Much More (By Which We Mean Less) (5.27)
- Government Beneficiaries and Other Fairy Tales (5.26)
- Are We Headed for a Fight with China? (5.28)
- Lessons From the United Fruit Company (5.28)
- Do Organic Consumers Shop Exclusively at the Jerk Store? (5.26)
Reason RUPE: Public Opinion Survey
- Reason-Rupe: Wisconsinites Favor Increasing Public Union Retirement Contributions to Address Budget Deficit (5.25)
- Reason-Rupe Poll Finds Support for Public Union Reforms (5.25)
- New Poll: Obama Leads Romney In Wisconsin, But Gary Johnson Could Impact the Race (5.24)
- Wisconsin Recall: Walker Leads Barrett 50-42 Among Likely Voters (5.24)
- Reason-Rupe Poll: Walker Leads Barrett 50-42, Obama Leads Romney 46-36 (5.24)
advertisements
Reason on Facebook
Reason on Twitter
Reason on YouTube
Reason RSSGet Reason E-mail Updates!
Manage your Reason e-mail list subscriptionsSite comments/questions:
Media Inquiries and Reprint Permissions:
(310) 367-6109
Editorial & Production Offices:
3415 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 391-2245
Editor's Note: We invite comments and request that they be civil and on-topic. We do not moderate or assume any responsibility for comments, which are owned by the readers who post them. Comments do not represent the views of Reason.com or Reason Foundation. We reserve the right to delete any comment or disable your ability to comment for any reason at any time.
|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.