Finally.... a good "progressive" law

I've been critical of the stupidity shown by "progressives" when they legislate. Now, I think I have to take that back.

New York has decided to ban gangs.

Whew. We've all been waiting for our elected officials to be both effective and progressive.

Over at Freakonomics.

Excerpt

A few days ago, New York’s State Senate passed a bill making it illegal to recruit someone into a street gang.

In the never-ending fight by city officials and legislators to combat gangs, this is one of the latest efforts to outmaneuver gang members. Other similar initiatives have included: city ordinances that limit two or more gang members from hanging out in public space; school codes that ban the use of hats, clothing, and colors that signify gang membership; and public housing authorities that evict leaseholders who allow gang members (or any other so-called “criminal”) to live inside the housing unit.

Wow! we no longer have to worry about gangs again. Our elected officials actually doing something effective.

Ooooppps. I forgot to read the next paragraph.....

These laws rarely lead to reductions in gang membership, gang violence, or gang crime. In fact, police officers I know find these ordinances and statutes a waste of time. Cops would much rather “control and contain” gang activity. Most officers who work in inner cities understand that you cannot eliminate gang activity entirely — arrest two gang members and you will find a dozen others waiting in line to take their places. Police know that gang members have great knowledge about local crimes, so they rely on a trade off: keep gangs isolated to particular areas, don’t let their criminal activities spill over into other spaces, and use high-ranking gang members for information.

Oh...... Nevermind.

What's that saying.... straightening out the deck chairs on the Titanic.