Lecture on Systemic Fines in Suburban America

Overview

• Modest suburb of San Luis with ordinary appearance
• Predatory system of fines targeting mostly poor and black residents

Case Study: Miss Mingo

• 84-year-old resident
• Keeps lawn trimmed to avoid trouble
• Receives reminders from city authorities if lawn gets long

Location

• Pagedale, 15 minutes from Ferguson
• Citations for minor infractions:
  • Walking on the road
  • Not painting house
  • Hedges taller than 3 feet
  • Barbecue on front porch
  • Drinking beer near barbecue

Local Ordinances

• Hundreds of pages long
• Mundane rules: rubbish collection, keeping pets
• Forbidden: basketball hoop on front of house, windows without drapes/blinds
• Fines for teenagers wearing low jeans

Broader Impact

• Similar laws across towns in America
• Activists argue these laws criminalize the poor
• Minor offenses lead to arrest warrants, jail, and criminal records

Extreme Cases

• Michael Brown: jaywalking led to fatal police confrontation
• DOJ found systemic racism in Ferguson, police acting as collection agency

Officials' Defense

• Pagedale officials claim laws maintain safety
• Many tickets are warnings
• 2,000 citations issued in a town of 3,000 people
• Residents face high costs to comply

Criticism of System

• Termed "police-at-teering" or "policing for profit"
• Larry Kirk, police chief, criticizes system
• Creates tension between police and communities
• Acknowledges hardship on struggling residents

Conclusion

• Small town rules create significant problems
• System seen as harassing rather than protecting communities

Reported by Kylie Morris, Channel 4 News, Pagedale, Missouri