Garden-Variety Crime: California City Criminalizes Artificial Turf

In Ireland, “grass” is a term for a criminal informant. In Gendale, California, it is a crime itself if it is a fake. The city has added its name to the growing list of cities criminalizing trivial acts — part of a pattern of the criminalization of America discussed in past columns and blogs.

Geneva Dotson had to pay crews $3,000 to rip up her brand new front yard after receiving a notice that artificial turf is a crime. I certainly understand the concern over the use of artificial grass in terms of chemicals etc. However, there is also the benefit in terms of reducing water consumption in states like California with periodic drought problems.

In my view, this is another case where civil enforcement is an option and the city can always prohibit companies from installing artificial grass or even selling artificial grass if they have a basis for it. I am not aware of such a basis but the issue is the means of enforcement.

We are turning millions of people into criminal felons or misdemeanants. Politicians now refuse to accept that their pet project is any less important than other new crimes.
Source: CBS