City controlled airspace?

John Galban writes:

Not unusual. Some cities have even tried to enforce their own
aviation related ordinances. Several years ago, the city of Mesa, AZ
enacted an ordinace prohibiting flight over the city below 1,000 ft.
(except for takeoff and landing).

That is already prohibited by the FARs for the most part. Who was flying over
the city below 1000 feet?

They went so far as to have their
police helicopters chase down suspects and issue tickets on the ramp.
Many complained, but the FAA didn't show any interest in getting
involved. Eventually, local pressure ended the enforcement (i.e.
don't airborne cops have anything better to do than waste fuel chasing
errant Cessnas?), but the ordinance is still on the books.

Were the suspects in question convicted, and did they have to pay fines?

It's also illegal to wear jeans in Mesa, but that isn't enforced much, either.

Rarely-enforced and stupid laws enable the development of a police state.

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