02/22/1988 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e e e in favor, two members opposed, and two members abstaining. Ms. Timmons said the following issues related to cruising had been addressed by PSAC: 1) Officer deployment--She said five officers were assigned to liThe Gut" and twelve officers were assigned to other parts of the City, which amounted to 41.5 percent of officers unavailable for other duties; 2) Costs of gut enforcement, which amounted to $25,000 annually, not including overtime; 3) Difficulty with traffic flow and passage of emergency vehicles through congested areas; 4) Impact on youth as victims; 5) Quality of life for businesses and residents in the area, particularly the perceived fear by elderly residents; and 6) Increased violence, vehicle and property damage. Ms. Timmons said she hoped that in making its decision, the council would give serious consideration to the issues addressed by the committee-- those of crime and of limited law enforcement resources. Terry Shelton, 1350 Goodpasture Island Road, spoke in support of keeping crulslng open. Mr. Shelton said he had been cruising for many years, and he thought a problem existed, but something else was needed besides closing down the activity. He said he and his family enjoyed cruising and cars as a hobby, and he favored some other solution. Deb Hibler and Jim Hibler, 85160 Larson Road, submitted requests to speak in support of keeping cruising open, but they did not testify. Joe Loew, 620 West Quinalt, spoke in opposition to the ordinance. Mr. Loew said he was a student and had cruised liThe Gut". He said he did not deny that problems existed, but he did not think this ordinance was the answer. He said the ordinance would unfairly penalize people who were not cruisers but who were making repeat trips, for example to the store. Mr. Loew said Portland was not similar to Eugene because Portland had other activities for teens and others interested in cruising, which Eugene did not offer. Mr. Loew said he thought compromise was in order and could result in a more effective solution that would not stifle teenagers and put them lion hold" until they were adults. He said he thought any alternative would involve some problems, and the community should decide on the best one. Mr. Loew said he considered himself average, but he never had received or heard about any printed material or information. He also said it was claimed that half of the cruiser were adults, but in his experience it was difficult to define "adult," because everyone had the same interest at heart. He said help was needed to organize a compromise, perhaps such as a cabaret. Richard E. Belz, 573 Sterling Court, spoke in opposition to the ordinance. Mr. Belz said he was a cruiser, too, "even though 11m 37." He said he represented Oregon Classic Chevy Club International, which had 27,000 members worldwide, and he was a Eugene homeowner and businessman. He said he thought the issue went beyond Eugene, and he urged consideration of the image that would be presented to surrounding MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 22, 1988 Page 4