09/18/1985 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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to issue citations. He noted that police officers must be present to see -- violations. If the City's financial condition limits the number of police officers on the mall, the only way to get enforcement of the regulations is by citizen arrests. The revisions provide the structure for citizen arrests. Mr. Martin discussed the conditions under which citizens can make arrests and then turn the offender over to a police officer. The City Prosecutor will then decide whether the case is prosecutable. The person making the arrest would have to appear in court. Answering questions from Mr. Rutan and Mr. Miller about violent activity on the mall, Mr. Sercombe said the revised ordinance does not address some of the violent behavior on the mall. The revision of Chapter 4 of the City Code addresses some of it. He discussed those provisions. Mr. Sercombe reviewed the section of the Oregon constitution which assures that people may possess and openly carry weapons that can be used in defense of themselves or proper- ty. The weapons are those that were used in the nineteenth century. Mr. Miller said the key to the new regulation is enforcement. Mr. Gleason said the downtown merchants supply security on the mall and the police offi- cers respond. The crime rate on the mall is no higher than in some other areas of the city. Ms. Wooten said representatives of the American Civil Liberties Union think the City could create a "weapons free zonell on the mall. They would like to work with the City Attorney's office on it. She will support the new regula- tions, but she is not sure they will solve the problems. e Ms. Ehrman will support the regulations although she is concerned about selec- tive enforcement and wants the criteria for permits published. She would not want a City department head to have to deal constantly with petty arguments. She appreciated the Eugene Downtown Association's willingness to pay for secu- rity, but she recognized that it is the City's responsibility. Ms. Wooten asked for a report on the effect of the new regulations and the categories and. number of citations and incarcerations in six months. Answering questions from the mayor, Mr. Gleason said permits are needed for "ghetto blasters." The Mayor asked ~taff to provide a repo~t on the issue of c.arrying weapons on the mall within thirty days. CB 2853--An ordinance concerning activities in the mall; amending Sections 2.007,2.391,2.812,4.790,4.870, 4.871, 4.872, 4.876, 4.877,4.878, 4.990, and 5.010 of the Eugene Code, 1971; adding a new Section 4.879 to that Code; repealing Sections 4.873, 4.874, 4.875, 5.565, 5.570, 5.575, 5.580, 5.585, and 5.590 of that Code; and declaring an emergency. Ms. Wooten moved, seconded by Mr. Hansen, that the bill be read the second time by council bill number only, with unanimous consent of the council, and that enactment be considered at this time. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 8:0. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 18, 1985 Page 6