A “Bias Crime” Policy for Fargo Is a Terrible Idea
MINOT, N.D. — Hate crime policy is the sort of thing politicians get up to when the core, though admittedly more mundane, elements of their jobs prove too pedestrian.
Plowing the roads and managing the waste are important jobs, but garner little glory.
Fargo City Commissioner Arlette Preston is proposing a city ordinance that “would address crimes where an individual is targeted with violence or threats of violence because of their race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity,” as Barry Amundson reports.
The ordinance would carry a fine of $1,500 and 30 days in jail, the stiffest penalty which can be imposed for violating an ordinance.
This is a terrible idea, from concept to execution.
