Crime and Punishment
In
a city of 50 million, with a large percentage of that being the underclass, one
can expect a certain amount of crime. The police departments of Metropolis are
overwhelmed with the amount of crime they have to deal with on a day-to-day
basis. At any one time there is at least one serial killer running amok in the
city and there are an average of 7500 murders in the city each year. There is
one assault committed every 2 seconds. Robbery and property damage are also a
big headache to the police department. The majority of these crimes happen in
the lower to middle parts of the city, away from the financial and “Club of
the Sons” districts. The crime found in those districts will be mostly vise
related and white collar crime. With only 20% of the population owning a vehicle
larger than a scooter, the least common offence in the city is traffic related.
Police in the city are reasonably equipped, each given a
firearm to use, light armor in the form of an armored vest & helmet, cuffs,
a nightstick, and access to other material as the need arises. Most police
patrol either on motorbikes, or two to a police vehicle. Special units of up to
six officers have been formed to help combat the rash of violence that has swept
the city.
Police securitypoints are setup throughout the city,
more so as you get closer to the heart of Metropolis and the financial
districts. These securitypoints are designed to regulate the flow of people in
and out for an area, and to help keep eye out for any wanted criminals. Two
officers and a massive amount of surveillance equipment monitor each
securitypoint 24 hours a day.
Black
market: all transactions done on
the black market are considered illegal, this is both on the buyers and sellers
side, all punishment concerning the Black market is based upon the value of the
illegal good traded. Punishment: Those found guilty of dealing in the
Black Market are subject to a fine of 3 times the value of the items traded and possible jail time.
Cyberweapons: Illegal in all areas of
METROPOLIS, though infringement seems to take place in the lower city on a
common basis. Punishment: Those found guilty of having Cyberweapons
implanted are subject to having the offending cyberware removed, a fine (25,000 M)
and possible jail time.
Firearms:
Licenses are required for all firearms carried within the city limits, Licenses
are granted to those who those issuing the license deems acceptable. this is
determined by several factors, where the applicant lives, and where they work,
if either are in the Upper city the chances of having a license issued is quite
high, if the applicant is from the Lower city, their chances diminish greatly,
thus explaining why the black market of firearms in the lower city is rampant. Punishment:
Those found guilty of carrying a firearm without a license can be subject to
jail time, and or fines (15-50,000 M).
Illicit Drugs: Illegal in all areas, but
not readily enforced, the elite have parties and at Yoshiwara's and in the Club
of the Sons, while the common junky dopes up down in the alleys of the Lower city.
Punishment: When enforced, usually against only the most blatant
offender, those found guilty will be subject to a fine (1000-5000 M),
repeat offenders may be subjected to the Worker city.
Murder: As in all societies the taking
of a human life has dire consequences. METROPOLIS is no exception, all variables
in the crime are taken into account before a verdict is reached. Punishment: those
found guilty of murder will see Jail time, or will be executed. lesser
variations of homicide (manslaughter, self-defense) will be met with lesser
penalties, depending on circumstances.
Prostitution: Illegal in all areas, but
not readily enforced, the elite have their girls in the Eternal Gardens and at
Yoshiwara's, while the common hooker works down in the alleys of the Lower city.
Punishment: When enforced, usually against only the most blatant
offender, those found guilty will be subject to a fine (1000-5000 M),
repeat offenders may be subjected to the Worker city, or the Eternal Gardens.
Public Drunkenness: In an effort to keep
up a clean front to the city, all revelers must stay confined to specific zones
created by the city Masters, some zones are entire districts, while others are
confined to a specific building. Punishment: first offence fine (100 M)
and jail time to sober up, repeat offenders are subject to stiffer fines
A Note concerning fines: a person who is
not able (or not willing) to pay the fines levied by the courts will immediately
become an indentured servant, their possessions will be sold to cover as much of
the fine as possible, they and their family will be moved to the worker city to
pay off the remainder of their dept.
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