Law against drug-related crime passed by city council

The legislation represents another important achievement for the Council's work in the area of ​​public safety

Today, the Seattle City Council voted to create Stay Out of Drug Areas (SODA), which allow courts to prohibit a defendant from entering certain areas of the city if they have committed a drug-related crime in that zone. The bill, introduced in collaboration with City Attorney Ann Davison, provides additional opportunities to curb widespread and overt drug-related crime in key public areas.

“Our neighborhoods have been suffering for too long. We must start with those in need, but this bill will help us rebuild the community for neighbors, residents, small business owners and employees who have suffered from the crime that comes with the illegal drug trade,” said Council Member Robert Kessel (District 7), who also chairs the Public Safety Committee. “This legislation uses a data-driven approach to achieve the goals of our strategic framework plan. I am grateful for the support our legislation has received from the community and my colleagues, and I am grateful for the opportunity to make Seattle safer.”

The originally proposed SODA zones included areas in Downtown Seattle (Belltown) and the International District. On September 10, the bill passed the Public Safety Committee by a vote of 5-0. The bill was amended to add additional zones in Belltown, Capitol Hill, the University District, and Pioneer Square.

“Criminal behavior is no longer tolerable on our streets. This legislation sends a strong message to the public that this Council has heard their calls for stronger safety measures. It is an example of our Council's commitment to working closely with voters and crafting public policy that is backed by data. This policy is closely tailored to address key hot spots in our city where we know dangerous drugs like fentanyl are particularly prevalent in our communities,” said Council Member Robert Saka (District 1).

“Over the past two years, I have heard loud and clear from law enforcement that they need new legal tools to stop the criminal open-air drug trade in many areas of our city and the tragedy of human trafficking on Aurora Avenue North,” said City Attorney Davison“I have worked on and advocated for these two new ordinances to answer that call. I look forward to working with the Seattle Police Department on strategic enforcement to help impacted neighborhoods and protect vulnerable victims. Thank you to the Seattle City Council for stepping up to this challenge.”

“We absolutely have to do more to stop the drug market in the city centre,” said the Council President Sarah Nelson (Position 9) “This bill provides an additional tool to accomplish just that while implementing the recommendation in the City Auditor’s report to take a place-based approach to combating drug-related crime to best utilize our limited police and social services resources.”

background

The adoption of the SODA legislation and the Council Presidency on Tuesday Cathy Moore (District 5) The Stay Out of Area Prostitution (SOAP) Act to combat commercial sexual exploitation and related gun violence is another major public safety accomplishment for the Council. This work over the past few months includes:

Further background information on SODA, including the full text of the legislation, is available in the Council materials.

Next Steps

If the mayor signs the new law, it will come into effect 30 days after his signature.

# # #