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My experience has been to observe LAPD selectively target and enforce
jaywalking tickets for the purpose of stopping, harassing, checking for
warrants, intimidating and many times arresting the homes mentally ill at a
much higher rate than the three piece suits, tourists or working class Joes
north of Spring Street. The unintended consequence for the homeless is that the tickets turn to warrants, warrants turn to failure to appear and all of this leads to the incarceration of the mentally ill, filling up beds at Twin Towers. The selective enforcement is also used to control narcotics activity and LAPD would argue that first, there are no quotas, a joke in itself, and second, it prevents pedestrians from being killed by automobiles. This public policy, or frankly Chief Park’s policy is mean spirited. I’ve seen many warnings given out uptown to the suits and tourists, but they pay taxes, bring in revenue and contribute to the city coffers. I’ve personally discussed this matter with City Attorney James Hahn and Sheriff Leroy Baca. No one is suggesting we abandon the laws regarding jaywalking. But they should not be targeted to a class or group of people to control them. Surely Chief Parks and our city leaders can come up with a better and more just way to treat city citizens, whether they are wearing a suit or pushing a shopping cart and to better utilize law enforcement, the courts, jails and other social service agencies in preventing this much abused practice. Gerald N. MinskCrime Reduction Mentally Ill Offender Advisory Board, LASDLAMP Staff Advocate |
