QUALITY-OF-LIFE CRIMES

To the Editor:

Following a new mayoral initiative (front page, May 22), New York City
prosecutors and police said they would begin cracking down on repeat petty
crimes like prostitution, public drinking and drug use, whose perpetrators
serve little jail time. These "criminals" could now serve as much as a year
in prison.

Why not target other quality-of-life crimes like car-horn blowers, loud
radio players, litterers? Maybe it's because it's easier to demonize and
scapegoat prostitutes and pot smokers for political gain.

Why are we jailing these people? Are pot smokers really such a threat to
the city?

After all, they have virtually no effect on their surroundings, while a
manic late-night horn blower can awaken an entire city block.

Why not use the limited police resources to take aim at crimes that involve
violence or loss of property instead?

TED R. GOTTFRIED New York, May 22, 2002