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Mr. Bennett asked whether the "Gut" in Portland was located downtown. Mr. Gleason said Portland cruisers recently had used 82nd Street, but they used to e gather downtown on Broadway. Mr. Bennett said he had "crui sed" Wi 11 amette Street as a youth and he considered it a relatively harmless social activity as long as it was located in commerci a 1 areas. He also said he thought a small percentage of people would cause problems regardless of where they were. He asked whether the same issues arose when cruising occurred downtown as when it occurred in residential areas. Mr. Mason said all of the cities he had examined reported complaints about conduct. Mr. Gleason said the number of cruisers now was significantly greater than it had been fifteen or twenty years ago. He said that number reached a "critical mass" at which problems went beyond nuisances and became difficult to contain. Mr. Gl eason added that "gangll and other events had occurred in several major cities and even in some smaller cities. Mr. Mason said cruising in and of itself created mostly minor problems, but it also created an atmosphere that set up the youth of the community to be victims. He said persons had been involved in knifings, assaults wi th baseball bats, burglaries, and some very brutal rapes. Several councilors said they, too, had participated in cruising as youths. Mr. Holmer said he had not been involved in cruising. Ms. Ehrman said she agreed that costs should be considered. She said she also was concerned about selective enforcement only when the ordinance first was passed or based on computer checks of license plates from out-of-town. Ms. Ehrman said she had heard from adult citizens who did not like the ordinance and who intended to violate it. She added that she also was concerned about e selective enforcement based on age. Mr. Mason said the entry computers would not be connected to Department of Motor Vehicles information, and offi cers would not have the time or motive to check on whether vehicles were local. Ms. Wooten said she appreci ated the information and the rationale for proposing the ordinance. She said she was extremely interested in holding a public hearing prior to consideration of the ordinance. She said she recognized the degree of inappropriate and perhaps mischievous behavior that had an impact on others, but she favored allowing public comment and amendments before voting on the proposal. Ms. Bascom said she favored holding a public hearing on an ordinance proposal that could be altered or revised after the hearing. Mr. Gleason agreed to schedule a public hearing on the ordinance. Mayor Obie thanked Mr. Mason for his report. II. OTHER ITEMS FROM COUNCILORS Mayor Obie offered councilors an opportunity to discuss items not scheduled for action later tonight. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council Dinner/Work Session November 16, 1987 Page 6