The Watsonville, Calif., City Council recently banned retailers from using plastic bags. Stores now charge customers for paper bags. The city, at taxpayers’ expense, is distributing reusable bags. This initiative was such a priority for the council that it overrode protests from consumers and residents’ concerns that reusable bags breed bacteria. Meanwhile, there is such a large and growing gang problem in Watsonville that it has “teen violence counselors.” Violent crime is up 20 percent since 2006, with a rate more than 50 percent higher than the national average and nearly 50 percent higher than California’s. Unemployment in Watsonville stands at a staggering 27 percent. Government entities make up three of the city’s four largest employers.
But at least the town is safe from plastic bags.
