Pubdate: Sun, 28 May 2000 Source: Oakland Tribune (CA) Copyright: 2000 MediaNews Group, Inc. and ANG Newspapers Contact: 66 Jack London Sq., Oakland, CA 94607 Website: http://www.oaklandtribune.com/ Feedback: http://www.newschoice.com/asp-bin/feedback.asp?PUID486 Author: Rick Hart Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n515/a02.html BEAT FEET WORTHWHILE BRENDA PAYTON is misinformed relative to Beat Feet issues ("Beat Feet should go the way of other Draconian drug laws, April 18") and seems to conveniently forget the negative impact prostitution and drug dealing have on Oakland neighborhoods. The majority of Oakland residents are hard-working, law-abiding citizens who would like nothing more than to enjoy their homes and neighborhoods without the fear and mistrust that criminal behavior brings. The Beat Feet ordinance was born of a cry for help from citizens in neighborhoods where there is a problem with criminal behavior. These people are fed up with drug dealing and prostitution in their area. A large percentage of people who participate in and support these criminal activities are from bedroom communities outside the city's border. The City Council passed the ordinance because the people demanded relief. No children should have to suffer late-night fights between johns and hookers and pimps and hookers. Nor should they be forced to witness public sex acts outside their windows. These violators throw their used condoms and hypodermic needles in parks and on citizens' front lawns. Drug buyers support the dealers who murder each other over drug proceeds, fire their weapons off in the neighborhood to intimidate citizens, and use their cars to spin donuts in the street at all hours of the day and night. These are but a few of their favorite activities. We say: You want to play in Oakland you're going to pay. The ordinance has withstood court challenge once and will most likely do so in the future. There is a constitutional process in place for individuals who challenge the seizure, which the court has deemed to be fair. Oakland citizens deserve more objective information in order to make an informed decision whether to be supportive of this law enforcement tool. Civilization can only begin when fear and insecurity ends. Rick Hart, Oakland - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk