Proposed Ordinance for Curfew on ATMs

The decision by the L.A. City Council to draft an ordinance banning the dusk-to-dawn operation of ATMs (Oct. 9) is yet another shameless attempt to limit personal freedom, fueled by the worst sort of paternalistic impulses and the hubris of benevolent despotism. Citing a recent spate of attacks at the machines, the City Council has seen fit to take it upon itself to hamstring peaceful economic activities of Angelenos without a semblance of consent.

If in the interest of “public safety” it is prudent to pull the plug on ATMs during the evening, then it would be just as prudent to shut down convenience stores, service stations, bus and subway operations, as such facilities are also subject to attacks.

Utopia is not an option, and one does not have to be a radical libertarian to see that in trading liberty for security, the law of unintended consequences takes over, resulting in pernicious economic effects and no increase in security.

NICHOLAS SPINNER

Los Angeles

The proposal being made in the City Council is to close high-risk ATMs during certain hours of darkness, but to keep the approximately 500 ATMs situated in secure locations around the city--such as inside 24-hour businesses and other public places, including the public lobbies of 17 LAPD stations--in operation around the clock.

No one would be denied access to their money. They would have the same access. The only difference would be that it would be safer access. Fewer targets for criminals mean less crime.

Regulating the use of high-risk ATMs during perilous nighttime hours is no more an infringement on the public’s rights than requiring motorists to obey speed limits and wear seat belts or cutting off alcohol sales after 2 a.m. Government and business have the responsibility to protect citizens and customers.

JAMES K. HAHN

City Attorney

Los Angeles

How very like our incompetent and irresponsible elected officials to note that crime is so bad they feel the need to institute a curfew to prevent people from using ATMs rather than taking responsible action to control crime. If the problem is so bad as to necessitate a curfew, and if these elected officials are unwilling to declare war against gangs and a judicial system that refuses to sentence criminals to prison, then the real action must be to institute a dusk-to-dawn curfew throughout the city of Los Angeles.

JIM VINT

Redondo Beach

I believe overwhelmingly that the majority of ATM users will support City Atty. James Hahn and Councilmen Mark Ridley-Thomas and Nate Holden in their courageous efforts to combat ATM robberies.

The banking industry profits from ATM use, therefore, it comes as no surprise that they are not in agreement with city officials who proposed shutting down ATMs after dark to protect our most valuable resource--human life.

OLIVER E. METCALF

Los Angeles