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.
On September 22, the City Council will hear its staff and longtime survey consultant present the results of the 2014 Citizen Satisfaction Survey. This "response to concerns expressed by residents and users regarding safety and criminal activity along the southern portion of the Interurban Trail" suggests that perhaps the survey results have dipped this year. This article is as good as any to soften the bad news coming on September 22.
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