The controversial loitering ordinance that died last week has yet to be missed by the Madison Police Department.
The City Council failed to reauthorize the ordinance last Tuesday when its sunset clause, which requires the council to revisit the law annually, expired.
MPD Chief Richard Williams said police typically issue about 50 to 70 tickets a year, making it hard to judge whether the ordinance's expiration has had any effect.
\I'm sure its going to have an effect on our dealings in trying to handle the drug problem,"" MPD Public Information Officer Larry Kamholz said. ""In trying to handle the drug problem we've pretty much been slapped in the face with not having this ordinance to work with.""
The ordinance, which worked similarly to a speeding ticket for standing around, according to Ald. Tom Powell, District 5, was considered by police and conservatives on the council to be a useful tool in the fight against drugs. However, Powell said, many progressive members of the City Council were concerned that the law was being used to unfairly target minorities.
""Black males make up only 3 percent of the population, but 90 percent of the people being arrested under the ordinance were black males,"" Powell said.
Despite the racist implications that have been made from these numbers, the MPD supports the law because, according to Kamholz, statistics show that the majority of people affected by the ordinance were participating in illegal activities at the time the citations were issued.
Ald. Steve Holtzman, District 19, said he plans to reintroduce the ordinance, without the sunset clause provision, at the City Council meeting on April 6.
Williams said he supports reinstating the ordinance, but added that the police will employ other means of fighting drug dealers until that happens.
""We will continue to enforce other ordinances and laws that we have available to us that deal with an open air drug market, which include but are not limited to trespassing and noise violations,"" Williams said.
Powell said, however, that those who wish to see the re-enactment of the bill have little reason for hope.
""If they bring it up again without a sunset the mayor will veto it again and it will be dead,"" Powell said. ""So I think that's fantastic.\
