Politicians have been criminalizing young people as scapegoats for political gain...for as long as they've done the same to immigrants.
Yes, Route 66 may be a "no cruising" zone if Marty Chavez signs a bill passed by council last night that will give city councilor's and APD the authority to prohibit cruising - defined as going up and down the same street more than 3 times in a 2 hour period - in certain areas during certain periods of time.
The bill, sponsored by Councilor Craig Loy, was passed 6 -2 with Griego and Gómez against.
SWOPblogger posted pictures of young people protesting the ordinace in early May.
For educational purposes, copied and pasted below is a ABQ Journal article from today...
SWOP has defined youth criminalization as: any rule, law, ordinance or policy that defines young people as criminals and further reinforces negative perceptions of young people.
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Neighborhoods May Say No to Cruising
Journal Staff Writer
"No-cruising areas" could be coming to a neighborhood near you, thanks to a measure approved Monday by City Council.
Councilors voted 7-2 to adopt a measure that gives the council authority to designate areas where cruising is prohibited at certain times.
Supporters described the measure as a tool that police can use to provide relief in neighborhoods hard hit by endless rounds of vehicles cruising their streets.
"We need something in some areas of town and nobody has come up with anything better," said Craig Loy, a retired police captain and bill sponsor. Loy also said the city should consider designating areas where cruising would be allowed.
Opponents said the measure criminalizes a social activity practiced by generations of young people.
"It's telling our kids that they are criminals for getting in their cars and cruising with their friends," said Councilor Eric Griego. He and Councilor Miguel Gómez voted against the measure.
"This is criminalizing youth behavior," Griego said. "I think it's an incredibly dangerous road we're going down."
Griego and Gómez also said the measure would allow police to target young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Under the ordinance, a vehicle is considered to be cruising if it passes the same traffic-control point three times within a two-hour period.
Police Chief Ray Schultz said police will likely use a technique similar to one used in other cities where officers work in pairs to list license plate numbers in a computer. After the same number occurs three times, the computer alerts the officers, who then have probable cause to stop the vehicle.
City Attorney Bob White said the ordinance is modeled on those that have survived constitutional challenges in other cities.
The ordinance now goes to Mayor Martin Chávez for his signature.
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
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Does APD have little else to concern themselves than to become ‘hall monitors?’ What an incredible waste of time.
If they want to seriously address a problem, why not focus on the downtown weekend beer bashes that literally shut down Central. Now that's a traffic obstruction and an eminent danger to the citizens of this city.
I am so tired of this Mayor trying to whitewash this city because it appeals to the people with money. When is San Martin de Dinero going to remember he represents every member of the city and not just the people with fat, deep pockets?
It is odd, these kids have car clubs that divert their idle time from engaging in criminal activity and they are labeled criminals anyway. Just because these kids aren't sporting three-piece suits doesn't mean they have less of a voice in this town.
My advice to the kids is uniting. Pay heed to the call for solidarity and don't let the politicos wipe their asses with you because it is politically expedient.
If you don’t agree with your City Councilors and the Mayor, vote them out.
Stand up, Speak out and be heard.
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