You hear many stories about police officers enforcing barely relevant or largely unknown laws. With a legal system that only works as well as its enforcers, sometimes you see laws being used in ways that doesn't exactly jibe with their original intent. But what about enforcing laws that don't exist at all?

Well, it happens, and it's alarming. A recent example comes from Austin, Texas, where one entrepreneur decided to fill a niche in evening transportation. Electric Cab of Austin sends out drivers in little electric vehicles--sort of like cartoonish golf carts--to pick up late night travelers and drive them anywhere in the city. The drivers work only for tips--the service runs on a free or "pay what you will" model. The company draws a little revenue from selling advertising on its vehicles, but otherwise keeps things small, simply wishing to serve the community of Austin in a friendly and green fashion.

Of course, when you drive a brightly colored golf cart of the future, you're bound to attract a little bit of attention. Most of it would be positive, I'd guess, especially in a fairly hip city like Austin, where drunk youngsters are probably thrilled to have a free-ish ride home in a goofy-looking set of wheels. But with new kids on the block come bullies--and sometimes they're sent in by the state.

Austin police officers have taken a disliking to this new business and they're not afraid to act on it. They've been warning and then arresting drivers of these carts just for operating them. They cite a lack of a chauffeurs license even though there's no such thing. They're arresting people based on a law that isn't real. They can't quote it when asked because it doesn't exist.

Why would the police force arbitrarily turn jerkwad on an entire small business? Some foul political plays seem to be at work here. Apparently, the taxi lobby has donated nearly $40,000 to the City of Austin. The sum was split up among all the members of the City Council, including the mayor. The city has reviewed the case, but refuses to call off the arrests. Seems like taxi companies are awfully concerned about competition--worried enough to throw the equivalent of a year's worth of tuition at a decent college at the city in order to keep their police watchdogs angry. It may be corrupt, but it's working--and it's preventing this perfectly legal business from operating effectively due to legal fees and the negation of its workers. 

How are we supposed to make use of green transportation practices if innovation keeps getting squashed through official channels like this? Isn't capitalism supposed to run on great new ideas and healthy competition? Not if the existing standard has enough money to bribe law enforcement to keep your business in the gutter, I guess. Hey, taxis, don't worry: I'm sure there are plenty of people in Austin willing to pay for the luxury of riding home in something that's not a golf cart.

Those of us who are enraged by the actions of the city can let them know by sending them a note via their online comment form. Maybe if enough angry activists petition, we can send a clear message that it's not okay for a city to keep a business of its streets just because they don't particularly like it.