There's No Such Thing As A Free Ride
Not to the guy who's giving them, anyway. Bob Gough writes in the Quincy News of a guy who was trying to stop drunks from driving by offering them free rides home (although he apparently accepts donations):
The operator of the Courtesy Rides service which picks up people who choose not to drink and drive has been arrested again for violating the city ordinance which was created to stop him.Jonathon Schoenakase, 1711 Melview Road, was arrested at 1:30 Saturday morning after he picked up a plain clothes Quincy Police officer from the Phoenix night club. The arrest was made after Schoenakase drove to the 48th and Harrison area and he was released on a notice to appear.
Lt. Jason Simmons says the sting was conducted following complaints about Schoenakase's continuing operations from "other licensed operators".
Yes, you read it right -- the "sting."
Laws and ordinances should protect people from legitimate danger.
What's the danger here, that the other taxi drivers won't make as much money?
And if you live in Quincy and drive a drunk friend home, or maybe just some drunk girl you met at the bar, and she presses a little money on you for gas, are you breaking the law?
Related post -- The Unlicensed Lemonade Stand. As I wrote there, pertaining to both the dangers of unlicensed car services for drunks and 7-year-old lemonade dealers, "How about it's my job to use my brain, decide if there's a risk, and decide if I'm willing to take it?"
Having a sting for a free ride -- that means someone was losing money.
But the police who did it are probably disgusted but had orders.
Jim P. at August 8, 2010 8:29 AM
Years and years ago I read about two ladies who were making brown bag lunches and handing them out to the homeless.
They were stopped because they were making them in their own kitchens and didn't have the sanitation permits or licenses or whatever it is that makes it okay to feed homeless people the same food you cook and feed to yourself and your family. It's okay if they're starving, just don't give them anything that might risk their health!
I've heard no good deed goes unpunished. Looks like it's true.
Pricklypear at August 8, 2010 3:32 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2010/08/08/theres_no_such_2.html#comment-1740864">comment from PricklypearMy sister does that in San Francisco -- makes sandwiches and walks around town handing them to the homeless.
Amy Alkon at August 8, 2010 3:34 PM
Oh! Thank goodness big government is here to save us.
And the cost to taxpayers for this sting?
David M. at August 9, 2010 6:22 AM
Protect business from fraud. Protect people from imminant harm.
But don't protect businesses from competition.
And do not protect people from themselves.
Robert at August 9, 2010 12:00 PM
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