Item C: Downtown Public Safety Zone Ordinance

Home Browse Search

“In addition, the commission urges the council to consider greater support and funding to social service agencies to aid in the overall criminal justice system. Many offenders who are excluded from downtown by the DPSZ ordinance need additional help for alcohol and drug addiction, and that can only be remedied by having more services available to them to improve their way of life.” Extension of the Downtown Public Safety Zone Over the past months, the Police Department has conferred with Municipal Court Judge Allen and the Court Administrator, as well as members of the public, to identify options to improve the DPSZ civil exclusion process. Judge Allen will be present with Chief Kerns for the October 25th work session and will be able to assist with questions about the due process protections for defendants, provide examples of other situations where non-criminal sanctions are enacted without legal representation and answer other questions the council may have about how the ordinance works. The Police Department’s Activity Report for the first 20 months of the DPSZ ordinance provides data on the highlights of the exclusion program. Based on the findings of this report, the Police Department views a limited extension to the DPSZ for 18 months as a significant resource to maintain progress achieved in improving downtown Eugene’s livability and safety. Within 18 months, the police officers added in the FY11 budget will have completed training and the new Downtown Police Team should be established as a continuous, year-round assignment. When this team is in place, the department will have additional resources to resolve many of the crimes and violations occurring in the downtown core. The department also proposes modifying the ordinance to address sexual violations and crimes. Discussions will continue with the Municipal Court, the City Prosecutor and community stakeholders to review available options to address concerns about due process protections and the complexity of the ordinance. The Activity Report discussed the role of chronic inebriates in two types of disruptive minor offenses: liquor violations and criminal trespass. These findings have already prompted Police Department research and efforts to explore other options to address law enforcement issues and additional community supports for individuals with chronic alcoholism. RELATED CITY POLICIES This topic relates to the Safe Community Vision: A community where people feel safe, valued, and welcome. In addition the topic also relates to several of the City Council’s goals: The Homeless, Sustainability, Downtown and Police Initiatives. The Park Rules currently provide an option of exclusion from parks and playgrounds for certain offenders. COUNCIL OPTIONS A.Direct the City Manager to bring back for final action a revised ordinance to continue the Downtown Public Safety Zone, setting a sunset date of 18 months. B.Direct the City Manager to bring back for final action a revised ordinance to continue the Downtown Public Safety Zone and add sex offenses to the list of violations and crimes subject to exclusion. C.Direct the City Manager to bring back for final action a revised ordinance to continue the Downtown Public Safety Zone and address other concerns the council has identified. D.Allow Ordinance No. 20416 to expire on January 8, 2011, ending the Downtown Public Safety Zone. Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M101025\S101025C.doc