Only four people came to voice their opinions on Madison's Loitering for Purposes of Illegal Drug Activity ordinance Tuesday evening at the first of five public hearings.
The hearing, held at the Pres House, 731 State St., was sponsored jointly by the Madison Public Safety Review Board and the city Equal Opportunities Commission. Its purpose was to 'give the community a chance to speak out in their perspective on [the] ordinance,' according to Public Safety Review Board Chair Terry Moen.
The Madison Common Council will review the ordinance when it expires in March 2002, EOC President Bert Zipperer said.
Moen said one common complaint against the ordinance is that it discriminates.
Austin King, president of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, said the ordinance discriminated against citizens on the basis of race and previous association with drug dealers.
'It's not just race, it's kids with long hair and holes in their pants,' he said. 'If we allow these perceptions to dictate policy, we're giving in to hysteria.'
Ald. Todd Jarrell, District 8, who is a member of the Public Safety Review Board, agreed with King that the ordinance is discriminatory.
'It's definitely being used against people of color in the community,' he said.
Another complaint against the ordinance is that it is ineffective.
'I don't see it being used,' Madison property owner John Lucille said. 'I'm constantly begging police to be more active.'
Lucille, who owns property in the Badger Road and Cyprus Street areas, said there is a drug deal in his neighborhood just about every night, despite the presence of police.
'The police are not the answer to the problem. I'm just asking that they be more aggressive,' he said. 'Police need to get out of the car and ask people why they're loitering.'
Assistant Police Chief Noble Wray said the ordinance is only one aspect of the 'holistic approach' the police department must use to combat drug trafficking. He said other efforts, such as neighborhood revitalization plans, could be more effective.
