Shoreline Police enhance patrols along Interurban Trail

From the City of Shoreline

In response to concerns expressed by residents and users regarding safety and criminal activity along the southern portion of the Interurban Trail, Shoreline Police have stepped up patrols in the area. They also have two new tools at their disposal that will allow them to better address some of the illegal activities occurring along the trail and the individuals engaged in those activities.

Trespass Program

In July, Shoreline Police received authorization from Seattle City Light (SCL) to implement a Trespass Program from their right-of-way along the trail in Shoreline. SCL owns right-of-way under and around their power lines all along the trail. If police identify chronic offenders on SCL property they can issue a trespass warning to those individuals and SCL will assist in prosecution if the individual returns after being trespassed.

SODA

The other tool police can use is the SODA (Stay Out of Drug Area) ordinance passed by Council in June. The ordinance provides law enforcement with a tool to help keep known drug users and drug dealers from congregating in areas known for drug use, sales, or other criminal activity. Under the law, the City Prosecutor, in consultation with the Police Department, can request the court to issue a SODA order as a condition of a person's pre-trial release, sentence, deferral, or suspension. As long as the order is in effect, the individual cannot loiter in the SODA area.