Better Drug and Prostitution Exclusion Zones Approved

By Jane Ames

In March 2006, City Council re-authorized prostitution-free and drug-free zones in designated regions of Portland. Sam supports exclusion zones, when they are legal, applied properly, and enforced with fairness.

Sam bases his support of the exclusion zones on two principles:

1) Neighborhoods have the right to be safe and desirable places to live;

2) Zero-tolerance for policies that enable people to continue their addiction, or perpetuate a destructive life cycle.

He worked in Mayor Katz's office when drug-free zones were established in 1992, and later prostitution-free zones in 1995. These are as tools to protect the livability of neighborhoods seriously impacted by drug and prostitution markets.

Exclusion zones are controversial and debate will continue. It should.

When we step close to impinging on the constitutional rights of individuals, we must do so with caution and continual oversight. To that end Sam amended the Exclusion zone ordinances to include an ongoing Oversight Committee.

At the time of renewal, these changes were included in the ordinances:

1. The exclusion zone ordinances will be valid for a period of one year instead of three.

2. People who have been excluded can enter the zones for a variety of reasons to pursue legal activities:
• including residing within the zone,
• working,
• getting an education,
• or obtaining social services.

3. A person must be arrested and either cited to appear in court, or lodged in jail, based on probable cause, for an exclusion to be issued.

4. All exclusion zone notices will be reviewed by a hearings officer.

5. Instead of taking effect immediately, or 10 or 15 days after being issued, the exclusion will now begin on the 22nd calendar day after being issued.
Our neighborhoods, families, and individuals need to be and feel safe. And we all need our individual rights protected. An ongoing oversight committee can insure the exclusion ordinances are legal, applied properly, and enforced fairly.

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