HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 4804 RESOLUTION NO. 4b04
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY SUPPORTING LOS ANGELES COUNTY
DISTRICT ATTORNEY IRA REINER'S NEW PROGRAM
DIRECTED TOWARD STREET DRUG DEALERS.
WHEREAS, law enforcement statistics and the press
have chronicled the unprecedented rise in drug related crime;
and
WHEREAS, a recent survey by the District Attorney's
office reveals that street drug dealers receive among the
lowest sentences of all convicted felons; and
WHEREAS, such lenient sentences do not befit the
crime nor deter further criminal conduct and do not serve
justice by anyone's measure; and
WHEREAS, it is time for the criminal justice system
to awaken to the importance of the street dealer in the
overall picture of drug dealing; and
WHEREAS, our citizens expect drug dealers to be
incarcerated and this message conveyed to all in the justice
system.
NOW, THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DOWNEY DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Endorse the District Attorney's program
which is aimed at cracking down on street drug dealers. The
major elements of this program are as follows:
A. State Prison Sentences for Street Drug Dealers
In cases of possession for sale or sale of cocaine,
heroin, or PCP, the District Attorney shall seek
the maximum appropriate state prison sentence.
On all cases of possession for sale of cocaine,
heroin, or PCP, or sale of cocaine or heroin, where
probation is legally permissible and which are
first offenses involving nominal quantities, the
District Attorney shall urge the sentencing judge
to impose a suspended mid -term sentence in state
prison with, at the minimum, six to twelve months
in county jail as a condition of a three -year
probationary grant.
On all subsequent cases involving the above - described
offenses, the District Attorney shall urge sentencing
judges to impose immediate state prison sentences.
B. No County Parole for Street Drug Dealers
In any drug case of possession for sale or sale
where the defendant is sentenced to county jail,
the District Attorney shall urge the court to order
that the defendant is ineligible for parole.
C. No Bail for Repeat Street Drug Dealers
Whenever a defendant is on probation for sale or
possession for sale of narcotics and a petition for
violation of probation is filed, it is the
District Attorney's position that the defendant be
held without bail until disposition of the case.
Resolution No. 4604
Page 2
The District Attorney's Office is also asking that:
- - Special Narcotics Courts be established -- courts
which are devoted exclusively to cases involving
street drug dealers.
- - Special Probation Violation Courts be set aside
to hear petitions for violation of probation. In
this connection it is their aim to develop
expedited procedures remanding the probation
violator immediately to state prison.
- - Bail be substantially increased for defendants
charged with dealing narcotics. Presently many of
these dealers are getting out of custody on a
$5,000 bond which means they are out on the street
in a matter of hours after their arrest by simply
giving $500 to a bail bondsman.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the
adoption of this resolution.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 9th day of September
1986.
MAYOR '
James S. Santangelo
ATTEST:
i r
c Of
C CLERK
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing resolution was
duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Downey at a
regular meeting thereof held on the 9th day of September
1986, by the following vote:
AYES: 4 Council Members: Boggs, Cormack, Paul, Santangelo
NOES: 0 Council Members: None
ABSENT: 1 Council Members: Barb
LO) A'
/
CITY CLERK