Item 4: Ordinance Concerning Downtown Public Safety Zone

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FY11 budget will have completed training and the new Downtown Police Team should be established as a continuous, year-round assignment. With this team in place the department should have additional resources to resolve many of the crimes and violations occurring in the downtown core and by 2012, the additional jail beds the City proposes to add should be providing an additional deterrent to crime. The City Council may want to reconsider at that time the necessity of a Downtown Public Safety Zone. Chief Kerns also expressed his desire to modify the ordinance to address sexual violations and crimes occurring downtown. The Chief met with City Prosecutor Dan Barkovic, Eugene Municipal Court Judge Allen, Public Defender Dan Neal, representatives from the City Attorney’s Office and other staff to identify the additional offenses to add to Section 4.874 of the Eugene Code and to address concerns about due process protections and the complexity of the ordinance. An option to address these concerns that was identified in the Chief’s meeting involves the potential development of a simple program to provide advocates to individuals who request assistance and plan to appear at their show cause hearing. A preliminary discussion has been held with two community non- profit service providers to discuss the possibility of such a program. Thus far, these discussions have been favorable. In another option for an advocacy program, the Eugene Municipal Court could hire a temporary employee or contract with an advocate to provide support services to individuals who are appearing at a show cause hearing and are subject to exclusion. 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 No action is required at this time. This item is scheduled for public hearing only. CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION No recommendation is provided as this item is scheduled for public hearing only. Action by the City Council on this item is scheduled for December 8, 2010. SUGGESTED MOTION No motion is suggested as deliberation and action is currently scheduled for December 8, 2010. ATTACHMENTS A.Police Commission Recommendations: Downtown Public Safety Zone Extension B.Downtown Public Safety Zone Ordinance No. 20462 C.Downtown Public Safety Zone Ordinance No. 20419 Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M101122\S1011224.doc