SR-6-V (5)
CM:JB:KV:dvm(legisl)
council Mtg. 2/23/93
Santa Monica,
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California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Support Proposed Legislation
Adding a Penalty Enhancement for Conviction of
a Felony Drug Offense Upon or Within 300 Feet
of a Public Park or Beach
Introduction
This report recommends city Council support proposed legislation
re.lating to adding a penalty enhancem.ent for conviction of a
felony drug offense upon or within 300 feet of a public park or
beach.
Background
Assembly Member Terry Friedman will introduce legislation which
would provide an added penalty for any person convicted of the
possession, sale, or transport of controlled substances, in
addition to the punishment imposed for that conviction. A 2 year
additional State prison penalty would be imposed if the violation
occurred upon or within 300 feet of a public park or beach. At
present, the Police Department is experiencing a significant
problem with the return of convicted narcotic peddlers to
Palisades Park, in particular, as well as to other City parks and
to beaches. A penalty enhancement for this type of offense would
provide an effective tool in dealing with repeat offenders. The
deadline for introduction of new legislation is March 5, 1993.
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Recommendation
staff is requesting that the city council vote to support the
legislation and direct staff to work with state officials to
enhance the legislation's chance of passage.
Prepared by: James T. Butts, Chief of Police
Kathryn K. Vernez, Sr. Management Analyst
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