Criminal
Apr. 5, 2008
Police Use Obscure Vehicle Code Violations to Target the Poor
Police exploit a little-known provision that outlaws riding a bicycle at night without a headlamp, in order to target the poor and minorities.
Konrad Moore
Public Defender, Kern County Public Defender's Office
In the category of no good deed goes unpunished, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was heckled earlier this week at a news conference announcing the installation of 100 new light fixtures in the city's skid row district. The plan, laudably designed to discourage narcotics activity and other crime, drew the wrath of some homeless advocates.
Why doesn't the city do more, and why are the poor so routinely jailed?
If noticed at all, the protest will quickly be forgo...
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