Property Rights On The Rocks

Criminal syndicate boss Anne Hidalgo

Would you like to rent out a room in your Paris apartment?

Good luck!

The enforcement class in France has taken to invading the homes of people suspected of renting space in their private residences.  Twenty police officers and a handful of politicians are conspiring to shake down local property owners.  At least 15 landlords have already been victimized to the tune of 25,000 euros each ($33,000 US).

Merriam-Webster defines property ownership as:

the exclusive right to possess, enjoy, and dispose of a thing 

Any infringement upon the above property rights without the consent of the owner is simply theft.

These few dozen police and politicians in Paris should properly be referred to as a criminal syndicate.    

Bloomberg reports.