Recognizing the danger of terrorism, street violence, illicit drugs, and child molesters, the Albania Common Council announced that they have passed a local law requiring all individuals prominently display “smart” back tags on their person at all times when within city limits. The measure goes in effect on July 1, 2014.

“For much too long, thugs and criminals have been endangering our children in the City of Albania,” said Common Council Speaker Margie Smiths. “Enough with the drugs, violence, and thugs.. We must draw a line in sand and say the citizens of Albania will no longer tolerate these crimes. By adopting these smart backtags, we can effectively monitor the activities of citizens to ensure we quickly punish those who would commit crime.”

Back tags have long been required of hunters outside of the Adirondack and Catskill Parks when perusing wild game. Recognizing the benefit of these back tags for law enforcement purposes on city streets, the Common Council has decided to adopt a common-sense measuring requiring them for all individuals when they are in public places.

Smart backtags would prominently display a city-assigned number on one’s back, easily readable to the public to assist in the reporting of crimes to police. To further assist citizens in reporting violations of the backtag law, an anonymous crime hot-line, 1-877-ALB-BACK has been set up. For citizen convenience in reporting the crime, the number would also be printed on every backtag.

Calls to this number are free. Citizen Participation Specialists will staff the hotline 24-7, and will have the ability to immediately dispatch police upon any reported violations of the backtag law. Smart backtags would have the added benefit of providing GPS tracking of all individuals in the city by the Albania Police, to ensure they are fully aware of where all individuals are at all times.

In an effort to balance civil liberties concerns, the law includes tough penalties against misuse. If a case of “smart” backtag tracking abuse was reported to Albania Police Review board, they would be solely empowered to investigate such violations under this law. If such violations were substantiated beyond all reasonable doubt, a $25 fine would be assessed for the violation. These fines would prevent misuse of “smart” backtag tracking, noted Ms. Smiths.

Back tags would be sold to individuals who are legal residents of city for $100. Non-residents seeking to visit the city, could purchase a daily back tag for $20. Frequent visitors to the city, such as those who are employed in the city, could buy a back tag for $750. Back tags would be effective for one year, and would need to be purchased prior to July 1^st of the year, or prior to visiting the city. The proposal is expected to raise up to $30 million to assist the city in providing essential services to its citizens such as paying police officer fringe benefits.

The law contains tough, new laws to ensure it’s fair and equitable enforcement. Failure to prominently display one’s own back tag on one’s back would be a Class “A” misdemeanor with a fine not less then $500. Depending on the circumstances of the failure to not wear a back tag, fines could be as high as $1,000 and include up to 1 year in jail.

Recognizing the need to protect our schools buildings and grounds, airports, public transit buses, and sensitive government buildings from criminals, there will be increased penalties for failure to wear one’s back tag in such locations – a Class “E” felony, with a maximum length of imprisonment up to 5 years and a $20,000 fine. Judges would be granted discretion in sentencing, especially in cases where it’s apparent that back tags accidentally fell off the backs of youth, noted Councilwomen Smiths.

“If we protect even one child from a sexual predator or save one life a terrorist trying to destroy our freedom, this tough new law will have worked,” said Ms. Smiths. “Thanks to this new law, our streets will be safer, our children protected, and our community a happier, healthier place to live.”