MM> zero tolerance  has evolved into an "automatic "rote" answer that has
 MM> the effect of mandating punishment for infractions under that umbrella
 MM> for all those "caught under it, regardless of merits of any particular
 MM> case or a reasoned, consistently applied common sense solution to any
 MM> problem.
Mike, it sounds like you have things a little confused and twisted here.
First, police officers don't determine punishment for a crime, that's decided
by a judge or a jury. Second, you imply that the charges in a zero tolerance
program may be without merit. Are you saying that the police officer just
picks someone out and makes up a charge?
The beginning of any zero tolerance program is usually massive publicity, and
this is for a very good reason. We tell the folks that the public drunks and
paint sniffers are going to be arrested. Programs of this type are working
around the country, so there is a large amount of common sense involved and
many problems are solved. The tactics are really fairly simple, the police
advertise what is going to be done, violations of the law are brought to the
attention of the appropriate court, and the case is adjudicated. Most of the
zero tolerance programs involve video tapes of the crimes and ample
witnesses. These are the neighborhoods that have taken all they can stand and
wish to reclaim a relative place of safety for their families to live.
Tom Rightmer - A Victims' Rights Advocate
... I still miss my ex-wife - but my aim is improving.
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