Scofflaw propaganda audio (mp3)

You’ve been assigned to the Scofflaw detail soldier, now get out there and snoop on your neighbors. Clearly there’s a parking terrorist in our midst and it’s your job as a good American to root out evil everywhere it might exist!

Anchorage’s Most Wanted
The city of Anchorage has launched a new campaign to alert citizens, business owners and criminals that for traffic fine dodgers (who are obviously hardened criminals out to kill you)  their days are numbered. Just look at the artwork on the Muni.org website, where it clearly shows that all traffic ticket dodgers are out to do at least one of the following:

  • Look at you with evil intent (which is likely the sign of a domestic terrorist)
  • Crash their giant Ford SUV through a stop sign directly into you
  • Topple a school bus with defenseless children onboard

Domestic Spies or Neighborhood Watch?
Do we really need this or is this just another case of follow the money? Honestly, I really don’t care if it’s about economics or perceived (keyword is perceived) safety concerns. What irks me is the growing trend of reporting people on a website for every little infraction. Sure, it starts with good intentions, nobody wants a gun toting, child molesting, wolf hunting, littering, parking meter dodging criminal in their neighborhood.

But seriously, this is a slippery slope and will only lead to more public harassment and pressures to report your neighbors. The scariest message I take away from this campaign is the call for neighbors, co-workers and family to turn on each other. Let me be clear, I am not advocating crime or purposefully protecting known felons. What I am saying is this, what’s next?

Un-American
If we allow the manipulation of our fears to continue to drive our every motive, the day will come when YOU will be reported for the most petty of reasons by a close friend, neighbor or family member. Speaking out against your government or dissenting against the decisions of your elected officials will be considered treasonous and “un-American”. In many cases, this sentiment has already taken root in our society. If a person speaks out against wars, domestic spying programs and the litany of ill advised legislation that is coming at us faster than we can imagine - you are already considered to be unpatriotic and seeking to undermine the “safety” purportedly provided by your government.

What to do?
I’m sure that many will disagree with my position on this topic and feel we need to stop the “bad guys” at all costs. My question is this, when does the cost actually outweigh the perception of increased safety? For me, we’re already crossing over that line. When we decide to become spies and actively investigate our neighbors in the hopes of heading off a disaster or crime that hasn’t yet happened - the cost is already too high.

I support the idea of stopping chronic traffic offenders and have delegated that task to our police, courts and legislators. If a repeat offender is stopped legally for some observed wrong doing… confiscate that car and make them pay the appropriate restitution. Ask me to snoop and spy on my neighbors, no thanks.

Words of wisdom
If you are truly seeking safety and happiness, we might look back on some wise words from a few good minds.

…”That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.” - Congress, July 4, 1776.

/kk