So-called "zero tolerance" policing has been embraced as a way of reducing major crimes by focusing on minor ones. But there's another reason: fines and fees for low-level violations are now major sources of revenue for cities that have reduced taxation. When poor people can't pay, they're assessed with penalties — often increased until jails become debtors' prisons, especially for blacks and other minorities. That's led to anger, resentment and sometimes to violent confrontations with the police. We hear how back-door municipal finance causes social chaos.
How local cops are becoming tax collectors
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Credits
Guests:
Stephen Loomis - Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association,
Myron Orfield - University of Minnesota Law School -
@MyronOrfield,
Alexes Harris - University of Washington -
@AlexesHarris,
Lester Spence - Johns Hopkins University -
@LesterSpence
Host:
Warren Olney
Producers:
Paul von Zielbauer,
Katie Cooper,
Jenny Hamel