Note: This letter was written in response to an article describing how the city was able to close down an adult bookstore on the grounds of the so-called "negative secondary effects" its existence caused, such as attracting criminal types, increasing litter, etc.
August 4, 2002 Dear Editor: Using zoning laws to close down businesses on the grounds that they create "negative secondary effects" means using the coercive powers of the state to punish one man for the crimes of another. In the long run, New York City’s "quality of life" will be immeasurably improved when the government limits its activities to protecting the rights of its law abiding citizens. Sincerely, Chuck Braman |