Smoke A Joint, Pick Up Trash In Emeryville

The Debt: Smoking Marijuana

The Payback: Picking Up Our Trash

Opinion

Emeryville's problem

It can be said the people of Emeryville hate the sin but they don't hate the sinner.
The sin, marijuana smoking, is a bridge too far we Emeryvillians collectively say.  But even though we can't abide by those who flagrantly violate the law by smoking the demon weed, we're not without mercy; we will allow them to pay us back by picking up our trash.

Emeryville's solution

The program, the Alameda County Sheriff's Alternative Work Program (SWAP) brings law breakers into our town to pick up trash as a way for these violators to perform court ordered community service in exchange for reduced fines and jail time.  The Sheriff's office reminds us only non violent offenders are considered for the program that commonly draws those convicted of crimes such as DUI and possession of stolen property.  Possession of small amounts of marijuana also can make one a candidate for the SWAP program but not "big time dealers" according to the County.  Well, we're glad for that.

So next time you see a young man with SWAP blazoned across his orange vest picking up trash in Emeryville remember he could be a marijuana smoker and while we are dismayed at this kind of lawbreaking going on around us by these kids these days, we acknowledge the young man in orange is trying to make amends, he's paying us back for his abominable act.
We can feel good about ourselves that we're letting these people pick up our trash here in our town, for while we know marijuana leads to heroin, maybe just maybe with this program here in Emeryville, we're helping with interdiction; we're throwing a wrench in the gears of drug addiction...if not a wrench maybe some cigarette butts or an empty beer can or a Slurpee cup.

Emeryville is compassionate:
Work will set you free