Oran policing

First Oran police chief Mark Tragesser cracked down on speeders, an approach that brought outcries from merchants who claimed a get-tough policy would hurt their business. The Oran City Council backed Tragesser up.

Now Tragesser, once again backed by the board, is taking on nuisances and unleashed dogs, a move sure to spark more outcry in the town of about 1,300. Tragesser and the city plan a gentle enforcement approach at first in attempt to rid the town of high grass and abandoned vehicles and to put some controls on the dogs allowed to roam unleashed.

The board obviously sees benefits to tight enforcement.

Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani pursued a "Broken Windows" theory, the idea that broken windows that are not replaced beget more broken windows and more disorder. Giuliani believed that when a community shows its concern about the small stuff, demonstrates no tolerance for ignoring its laws, then fewer bigger crimes are committed. Crime statistics suggest he was right.

The chief and the board are to be applauded for their determination to confront scofflaws in the town of Oran.