Kalamazoo Goes to Crap

The city of Kalamazoo has implemented many stupid policies over the years, but this is the worst.  Kalamazoo has eliminated criminal penalties for crapping in public.  The city is quick to note that this is still technically illegal, but it would be a civil infraction (violators get a ticket), not a crime.

Do I even need to explain why this is a bad idea?  The most basic law of economics is that people respond to incentives.  When some activity is penalized, you get less of it.  When it is subsidized (or the penalty is reduced), you get more of it.  This ordinance means there will be more urination and defecation in public.  Obviously, this will be bad for businesses that operate in Kalamazoo.

Further, the idea that tickets are a sufficient penalty is absurd.  Do the bums and hobos who crap in public seem like the sort of people who diligently pay their tickets?  Do they even have enough money that they could?  Thus in effect, crapping in public is now legal in Kalamazoo.

Anyone who wants to know how this will turn out can look to San Francisco.  Except that even San Francisco seems to be rethinking some of its insane progressive policies, and has recalled its DA and three school board members.  We will see how bad Kalamazoo has to get before voters learn their lesson.