DRUG-FREE ZONES

Re: "School-zone drug law criticized: Assembly panel OKs bill to shrink
area" (C-P, Dec. 6).

It's difficult to understand the rationale of Barnett Hoffman,
chairman of the Commission to Review Criminal Sentencing, and his
recommendation that drug-free school zones be shrunk from the current
1,000 feet in every direction to 200 feet from the schools. He says
the current zones do not protect the children and are "just plain
ineffective." He goes on to say almost all the people convicted of
violating the drug-free zones are from minority groups.

What does the ethnic group of the people being arrested have to do
with the validity of the size of the drug-free zone? At least police
are catching violators. Isn't that doing the schools and children some
good?

Does this shrink-the-size idea mean more strict drug laws will only be
applied in a much smaller area in the city? It would seem drug laws
should be enforced throughout the city, not just halfway down the
block from the school.

Assemblywoman Mary Previte, D-Haddonfield, said: "The legislation is
not being soft on crime. It's being smart on crime."

Sure, it's smarter to only enforce drug laws a short distance around
schools and let the rest of the city flounder in the wake of the
pushers and buyers.

That's real smart.

ED ABEL Southampton