Live data from Hacker News

Bay Area drug kingpins lured low-level dealers, promising cheap rent (2020)

eastbaytimes.com

11–20 of 52 posts

Re: Bay Area drug kingpins lured low-level dealers, promising cheap rent (2020)

#11
post #3
post #2

Heh who knew, that's all the motivation they needed, cheap rent.

Low level drug dealing is less profitable than a minimum wage job. Desperation is a powerful motivation.

Often times it’s not, and there are other social benefits, like being invited to all the parties, etc.. It’s not simply a numbers thing.

Re: Bay Area drug kingpins lured low-level dealers, promising cheap rent (2020)

#12
post #5

I remember seeing dealers selling crack in plain sight on 9th and mission every day. Cops would drive by and the dealers wouldn’t even try to hide. It really seemed like there was some sort of arrangement going on there. But what would I know. On a side note, those dealers had pretty long hours, they’d be there from before 7am some times (and people buying too). It was also sad to see that most of their customers see…

There was a great book called Gang Leader for a Day , about a UChicago sociologist that spends time inside a Southside drug crew. His research showed that the average low-level street dealer made less than minimum wage. Almost all the profit accrued to the guys high up in the supply chain or gang hierarchy.

Drug dealing is a facinating experiment of full-free-market capitalism.

The experience certainly inspired me further on the path of entrepreneurship.

Re: Bay Area drug kingpins lured low-level dealers, promising cheap rent (2020)

#13
post #5

I remember seeing dealers selling crack in plain sight on 9th and mission every day. Cops would drive by and the dealers wouldn’t even try to hide. It really seemed like there was some sort of arrangement going on there. But what would I know. On a side note, those dealers had pretty long hours, they’d be there from before 7am some times (and people buying too). It was also sad to see that most of their customers see…

There was a great book called Gang Leader for a Day , about a UChicago sociologist that spends time inside a Southside drug crew. His research showed that the average low-level street dealer made less than minimum wage. Almost all the profit accrued to the guys high up in the supply chain or gang hierarchy.

That research was from 25 years ago. Rent has ballooned since then and wages at the bottom have dropped (minimum wage is lower now relative to CPI). Would be curious if this result holds up if we adjusted for inflation.

Re: Bay Area drug kingpins lured low-level dealers, promising cheap rent (2020)

#14
post #3
post #2

Heh who knew, that's all the motivation they needed, cheap rent.

Low level drug dealing is less profitable than a minimum wage job. Desperation is a powerful motivation.

Mr Cartel man do you have any openings in UX because my last purchasing experience was harrowing

Re: Bay Area drug kingpins lured low-level dealers, promising cheap rent (2020)

#17
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Low level drug dealing is less profitable than a minimum wage job. Desperation is a powerful motivation.

Often times it’s not, and there are other social benefits, like being invited to all the parties, etc.. It’s not simply a numbers thing.

Who cares about parties when you can't buy food.

Re: Bay Area drug kingpins lured low-level dealers, promising cheap rent (2020)

#19
post #3
post #2

Heh who knew, that's all the motivation they needed, cheap rent.

Low level drug dealing is less profitable than a minimum wage job. Desperation is a powerful motivation.

You pay no taxes either. And with a police record it might be the only job you can get. It's like running a business the hard way

Re: Bay Area drug kingpins lured low-level dealers, promising cheap rent (2020)

#20

I remember seeing dealers selling crack in plain sight on 9th and mission every day. Cops would drive by and the dealers wouldn’t even try to hide. It really seemed like there was some sort of arrangement going on there. But what would I know. On a side note, those dealers had pretty long hours, they’d be there from before 7am some times (and people buying too). It was also sad to see that most of their customers see…

The police presence is not uniform across every city, they prioritize areas they get the most complaints
Post reply on HN