New Haven state Sen. Gary Holder-Winfield got a hearing Wednesday for his proposal to shrink “Drug-Free School Zones” so they don’t effectively cover entire cities.
Right now under state law the school drug-free zones are designated within 1,500 feet of schools and day-care centers; dealers receive greater prison sentences for selling drugs within those area. Holder-Winfield wants that radius shortened to 250 feet. Holder-Winfield said the zones currently cover 94 percent Hartford’s population, 93 percent of New Haven’s, and 92 percent of Bridgeport’s.
Critics say his bill, which had a hearing before the legislature’s Judiciary Committee, weakens law enforcement against drug crimes. (Read back and forth on the issue in this story.) Holder-Winfield argues it does the opposite — because if you consider an entire city a drug-free zone with extra penalties, then you’ve lost the lure to keep dealers from proximity to schools.
“In order for the law to work there must be a variance in punishment; it is what effects deterrence. What I seek to do with this bill makes that possible and ensures our young people are safe,” Holder-Winfield said in a statement released just before the committee hearing on his bill.
He also argued that the current law ends up locking up more blacks and Latinos for similar crimes because they live disproportionately in cities. Click on the play arrow to watch him make the case in a video press release his staff released.
Interesting. Never considered it in this way. Curious to hear how law enforcement feels about the proposal