11/16/1987 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

had not mentioned any problems, except for perhaps increased foot traffic in the parks, which created no policing problems. He added that police in Eugene e currently used the trespassing ordinance to prevent gatherings in private parking lots covered by enforcement agreements. Mr. Mason noted that the proposed ordinance was based on similar ordinances passed in Portland and in Los Angeles. He said the ordinance would require designation of a traffic-congested thoroughfare and appropriate signing, with hours of enforcement to be from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Mr. Mason said the driving of any motor vehicle past any given point in the area more than two times in a two-hour period would constitute a violation. He added that the maximum fine for violations was $150, and a second or subsequent violation on the same date would authorize police to impound the violating automobile. Mr. Mason reported that he had discussed the ordinance with City Prosecutor Dan Barkovic, who had been in contact with Portland City attorneys. Mr. Mason said no challenges to date had been filed against the Portland ordinance. He added that no challenges or appeals to ordinances in other cities had been successful. He said the City Prosecutor felt that the ordi nance was constitutionally sound, and he added that contacts with other cities were continuing. Mr. Mason said the main costs of the ordinance would be for signing and equipment, and current officer assignments would provide sufficient staff for enforcement. He noted that the success of ordinances in other cities depended on the size of the city and on police tactics used for enforcement. Mr. Mason said he believed the appropriate signing, public education through the media, and use of proper enforcement tactics could offer a solution to long-standing e problems created by cruising. He said he thought it was important to remember that cruising might not remain only on West 11th, and he believed the anti- cruising ordinance could be an effective tool in dealing with problems of cruising wherever they occurred. Ms. Ehrman asked about plans for implementation and enforcement of the ordinance. Mr. Mason said the ordinance was directed at the motor vehicle itself; therefore, drivers could not switch to avoid a violation. He said a computer program for tracking vehicles already was in use in South Carolina, and a copy of the program was available and could be modified for use in Eugene. The program would be operated by officers using a lap computer, he said, adding that the devices cost about $450 each, and one or two should be sufficient. Mr. Miller asked whether current tools provided sufficient penalties for unacceptable behavior. Mr. Mason said enforcement contacts sometimes were effective. He said many complaints from residents could not be answered soon enough to dea 1 with them, and overa 11 problems continued regardless of enforcement action under current laws. Mr. Mason said a total of 1,044 calls for service had been received over 32 weekend nights during the summer of 1987, May through August. He said 784 of those calls had been initiated by officers, and 260 had been initiated by citizens, for an average of 24.5 calls per night. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council Dinner/Work Session November 16, 1987 Page 3