Title
Approval of Ordinance Adopting a "Civic Center" Drug Free Zone
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Land Use and Environment Committee recommends approving the attached ordinance creating a "Civic Center" Drug Free Zone.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve on second reading the attached ordinance creating a "Civic Center" Drug Free Zone, as recommended by the Land Use and Environment Committee.
Note: Attachment #3 is the updated sign. Based on Council's guidance at 1st reading the header "Drug Free Zone" is removed. The sign header now says "Notice."
Report
Issue:
The downtown core is experiencing an increase in crimes related to drug use. Law enforcement is using a variety of tactics to combat the crime. Establishing Drug Free Zones around 5 specific civic centers in the downtown area will give law enforcement other tools for addressing undesirable behavior.
Staff Contact:
Ronnie Roberts, Chief of Police, 360.753.8409[
Presenter(s):
Chief Ronnie Roberts, Olympia Police Department
Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney Jon Tunheim
Background and Analysis:
Over the last two years there has been a growing trend in drug related crime in the downtown core. The police department, as well as other city departments and staff, have heard strong feedback and criticism related to the chronic drug problem. Citizen complaints of open air drug dealing, drug use and discarded needles have generated a perception of a lack of commitment by law enforcement and the city to address these negative downtown behaviors.
In partnership with other local law enforcement and criminal justice agencies, a number of strategies have been identified to reduce the impact on drugs in our broader regional community. A particular focus of these efforts is our own downtown area.
Thurston County Prosecutor Jon Tunheim has dedicated a felony-level prosecutor to oversee prosecution of all felony criminal cases in the downtown core. Th...
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