sr-072683-6lJHA:JFK:cja
Prepared on 6/28/83
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FROM:
SUBJECT:
Introduction
Mayor and City Council
City Staff
1984 Olympics
Santa Monica, California ~ _ /
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At the present time, there ds no ordinance prohibiting unregistered persons
from entering restricted areas and participating in special events such as
............marathons, 10-K runs, and parades. This report will address the need to
establish a local municipal code ordinance forbidding unofficial entrants
from participating in, or interfering with, an event that has been officially
sanctioned by the City.
Background
In recent years, there has been an increasing number of permits issued for
athletic events conducted on city streets. Aside from the annual Santa Monica
Marathon, there are numerous 10 kilometer running events, This year to date,
there has also been a Triathalon and the Avon Women's Marathon; both were
international events attracting world class athletes.
As part of the 1984 Olympic Games, there will be two marathons involving this
City; an all male event, and for the first time ever, an all female event. Prior
to the actual Olympic Games, three marathons are planned on the official course,
seven miles of which are in the City of Santa Monica. The Santa Monica Marathon
is scheduled to be run August 28th, 1983. Tentatively scheduled are the Group
Dynamics Marathon in October, 1983 and the Los Angeles International Marathon
in February, 1984.
A recent problem occurred on June 5, 1983, during the International Women's
Marathon. The official entrants were restricted to women only; however, male
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runners began appearing on the course at various intervals. Some of the female
participants felt that the men were interfering and asked for police assistance
in removing them from the course. The police assisted, but with no clear legal
authority to do so.
Another problem that occurs with all running events is the proliferation of
bicyclists on the race course. In some instances, they are. the re to provide
encouragement to an acquaintance who is a participant; however, they interfere
with the event and adjacent traffic.
Of major concern at the present time are the three remaining pre-Olympic
P-0arathons, and the two aforementioned Olympic events. All official entrants
in those events must qualify in advance in order to participate. If unofficial,
unqualified runners are allowed to remain on the course, they could conceivably
interfere with a record-setting competitor, thereby inhibiting that competitor's
opportunity to win or successfully complete the event.
The police department could effectively handle these types of problems, if there
was a municipal code ordinance'prohibi'ting unregistered persons from participating
in special events requiring official qualification and/or registration,
The ordinance, which. should 6e classified as a misdemeanor, would give. police
officers the authority to direct a non-registered participant out of a re-
stricted area.. If tha violator(s) refuse, they would then be subject to a cita-
tion, or if necessary, an arrest in order to remove them from the area.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Ci y Couhcil direct the Gity Attorney to prepare an
ordinance prohi6.i ing an unregistered person from participating in running
events authorized by the City of Santa Monica
Prepared by;
JAMES F. KEANE
Chief of Police